POLITICSG.O.P. Candidates Leading Charge in Call for Syrian No-Fly Zone
By THOMAS KAPLANOCT. 19, 2015
nytimes.com
Russian warplanes have been carrying out airstrikes against insurgents in Syria,
leading some to call for a no-fly zone in order to reduce civilian casualties and
stem the flow of refugees, while countering Russia’s intervention. RELATED ARTICLE
SUPPORTS NO-FLY ZONE
 Bush Carson Christie Clinton Fiorina Graham Kasich Rubio
OPPOSES NO-FLY ZONE
 O’Malley Paul Sanders
SUPPORTS
Jeb BushFORMER GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA“Enforce that no-fly zone, and we’ll stop the regime’s bombing raids that kill helpless citizens.” AUGUST 11, 2015
Mr. Bush continued to advocate no-fly zones after Russia began its airstrikes in Syria, suggesting the United States should not be fearful of confronting Russia.
SUPPORTS
Ben CarsonRETIRED NEUROSURGEON“We need to stand our ground with the airspace. I would establish a no-fly zone along the border with Turkey. In no way would I back off.” OCTOBER 8, 2015
Mr. Carson has said the United States should counter efforts by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to expand his influence, saying that the United States is “only reacting when somebody does something.”
SUPPORTS
Chris ChristieGOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY“My first phone call would be to Vladimir, and I’d say to him, ‘Listen, we’re enforcing this no-fly zone,’” referring to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. OCTOBER 12, 2015
Mr. Christie has taken a particularly aggressive stance toward Syria, saying he would shoot down Russian warplanes that violate the no-fly zone.
SUPPORTS
Hillary Rodham ClintonFORMER SECRETARY OF STATE“I personally would be advocating now for a no-fly zone and humanitarian corridors to try to stop the carnage on the ground and from the air.” OCT. 1, 2015
Mrs. Clinton split with President Obama by voicing support for a no-fly zone, a proposal that the White House has repeatedly rejected. During her time as secretary of state, she urged a more aggressive approach to Syria.
NO POSITION
Ted CruzSENATOR FROM TEXAS“Look, we have no business sticking our nose in that civil war.” OCTOBER 18, 2015
Contrasting his approach with that of Hillary Rodham Clinton and a number of his Republican rivals, Mr. Cruz has called for focusing on defeating the Islamic State, rather than trying to push out President Bashar al-Assad of Syria.
SUPPORTS
Carly FiorinaFORMER HEWLETT-PACKARD CHIEF EXECUTIVE“This is a tricky maneuver, it’s a dangerous maneuver, but it’s a maneuver that we must undertake.” SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Mrs. Fiorina called for a no-fly zone to protect rebel forces that are opposing President Assad. She said that such a move would show the Russians “that they do not get to move into the Middle East and become the dominant outside power.”
SUPPORTS
Lindsey GrahamSENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA“I don’t know if there’s anybody left to train, but a no-fly zone would be a great relief to the Syrian people.” OCTOBER 12, 2015
Well-known as a foreign policy hawk, Mr. Graham has long called for a no-fly zone and in 2013, he called for the United States to target Syria’s air force.
SUPPORTS
John KasichGOVERNOR OF OHIO“Now is the time for the United States to provide the moral leadership that it has so far failed to provide.” OCTOBER 2, 2015
Mr. Kasich has called for the creation of “sanctuary areas” protected by no-fly zones in order “to prevent further escalation and suffering by civilians and refugees.”
OPPOSES
Martin O’MalleyFORMER GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND“This could lead to an escalation of Cold War proportions because of an accident, and I don’t think that’s in the best interest of the United States.” OCTOBER 11, 2015
Mr. O’Malley has warned against establishing a no-fly zone and used the issue to draw a distinction with Mrs. Clinton, describing her as “always quick for the military intervention.”
OPPOSES
Rand PaulSENATOR FROM KENTUCKY“Setting up a no-fly zone is a recipe for disaster. It’s a recipe for confrontation.” OCTOBER 19, 2015
Mr. Paul has assailed the idea of a no-fly zone, predicting it could lead to World War III by causing a confrontation between the United States and Russia.
SUPPORTS
Marco RubioSENATOR FROM FLORIDA“The United States should work with our allies, both Arab and European, to impose a no-fly zone over parts of Syria.” AUGUST 25, 2015
Mr. Rubio called for no-fly zones to protect Syrian civilians from bombs dropped by President Assad’s air force.
OPPOSES
Bernie SandersSENATOR FROM VERMONT“I oppose, at this point, a unilateral American no-fly zone in Syria which could get us more deeply involved in that horrible civil war and lead to a never-ending U.S. entanglement in that region.” OCTOBER 3, 2015
Mr. Sanders has a deep reluctance to using military force and has said that Muslim nations need to take the lead in fighting the Islamic State.
NO POSITION
Donald TrumpBUSINESSMAN“This does not sound like me very much, but I want to sit back and I want to see what happens.” OCTOBER 4, 2015
Mr. Trump has said he likes the idea of a “safe zone” being established in Syria. But he has questioned the idea of supporting rebels who oppose President Assad, and he has welcomed the idea of Russia attacking the Islamic State. |
