John McCain: We Won't Go To War In The Middle East Again

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Jon McCain defended the government's decision to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but said he recognizes that public opinion would prevent the United States from going to war in the Middle East again soon.

"I think we did the right thing there, but I also think we learned a lot of lessons, and frankly, I don't think you're going to see the United States of America in another war in that part of the world," McCain (R-Ariz.) said on "Fox News Sunday," speaking on the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

"I don't think American public opinion would stand for it," he added.

McCain's tone was a slight shift from his normal hawkishness on foreign policy, where he has been quick to criticize the president for using too little force in Libya and planning a draw-down of troops in Afghanistan.

He acknowledged the frustration that many Americans feel with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have continued for years beyond their planned end-dates.

Still, McCain defended the decisions to invade the two nations, saying Americans can "be proud of the fact that there has not been another terrorist attack."

"Whether we should have gone to Iraq or Afghanistan, I believe we should have," he said. "Whether it's mismanaged and whether we underestimated the enormity of the challenge we faced, I think historians will judge. But I don't think we should ever forget that those attacks originated in Afghanistan."

One major mistake, he argued, was the torture and abuse of detainees that went on in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, a human rights violation that was revealed in 2004.

"It's probably not the time to bring this up, but Abu Ghraib and the torture of prisoners hurt us a great deal and did provide a propaganda tool for our enemies including Al Qaeda,” he said.

He said he understands the desire to focus on domestic issues, when unemployment rates continue at staggering rates. But he said national security is just as important.

"There is a perception in the world, rightly or wrongly, that the United States is in a decline and we are, in many ways, withdrawing the fortress of America," he said. "We can't afford to do that."

Comments

[fairwayhill]

08:07 PM on 10/08/2011

So called "Israel" is stolen Palestine.

[fairwayhill]

08:07 PM on 10/08/2011

Stop your wars, Obama.

[HD42]

01:40 AM on 09/14/2011

That's what you said after the Crusades, John. And your running mate then, Sarah Palin's great-great-great grandfather proudly stood by you. However, when asked to name his favorite book of the Bible, he said 'All of them,' and then railed against the serfs and the 'gotcha journalism.'

[rp2par]

08:09 AM on 09/14/2011

Why should having to name a book in the Bible have anything to do with, well......anything? Remember that little thing called separation of church and state?

[bksg]

10:51 PM on 09/13/2011

“McCain defended the decisions to invade the two nations”
This is what I have to say:
R.I.P the 2,976 Americans who lost their lives on 9/11. R.I.P the 48,644 Afghans and 1,690,903 Iraqis who paid the ultimate price for a crime they didn't commit.

[the A Cappellan]

09:35 PM on 09/13/2011

It is simple. We must stop trying to effect the "World" for the sake of "Democracy". The choices of the last several administrations has been counterproductive. We must focus solely on "America" and the conditions within the U.S. This first, and now and before we obligate anything further around the globe. We must again grow, build, create, stockpile, structure and mandate beyond median standards for "America". Then, and only then as we begin the task of rebuilding our infrastructure, a new standard and committed support of safe and free lifestyles. Plus for every citizen the supported structure of education. A fulfillment and positive pur suit and growth of individuals and families; equally. This, along with a permanent appropriation for our senior citizens, disabled and veteran who produced and provided for all of us prior to their assent ion to their deserving stature and a place of prominence and respect in society. Vs, discord, worry about SSI and IRA's alla Madoffesque thieves and their concerns of common comfort, health care and security in the time we have to share with them; the terms of endearment they justly nurture.

[mrsentinel]

12:24 PM on 09/13/2011

Hey, John, who died and left you in charge?

[Blackorpheus]

11:47 AM on 09/13/2011

McCain has made a long and lucrative career by using his imprisonment in Vietnam as a political wedge to speak out stupidly and contradictorily.

[Pelican1983]

03:45 AM on 09/14/2011

I respect that you think he's spoken stupidly and contradictorily, but I would venture to say that I think that most of us on HuffPost, if forced to endure what he endured in Vietnam, would cry like friggin' little girls.

[rp2par]

08:18 AM on 09/14/2011

His American life is for all to see and hear about. He was a hero who fought bravely for our country. Now, let me see, what about O? We now nothing about his past except his association with anti-American socialists. How many SS cards and numbers? How many passports, etc, etc, etc.

[RMHolb]

11:07 AM on 09/14/2011

I would still take him in a heartbeat over "O" who is actually dumber than a fence post and in spite of the rest of the fence posts holding up all his "wire."

[danglines]

02:15 AM on 09/13/2011

He must plan to die soon!

[Jerry Stephen]

01:00 AM on 09/13/2011

I used to like this man. Sadly, he gave up his "maverick" title to sell out to the GO(T)P, and once he drafted Sarah "I can see Russia from here" Palin as a running mate, he became a joke.

It seems he has traded in his "maverick" boots for senility.

[Djay0252]

12:18 AM on 09/13/2011

McCain was in a POW camp far too long.

[rp2par]

08:20 AM on 09/14/2011

And whose fault was that? Americas for going to war in that piddly s--- country!

[chatnuptime1]

10:06 PM on 09/12/2011

Promise? No you probably wouldn't. But hey war is big business will the war party instead pick on South America? Mexico, Africa? Or maybe a grand drama filled trump card China?

[rp2par]

08:25 AM on 09/14/2011

It really just depends on who the military industrial complex chooses. Right? We need to let countries decide their own government and way of life. If our businesses go there, it should be up to them to sink or swim there -- not our problem.

[onasphere]

10:04 PM on 09/12/2011

Had McCain been elected, he would have killed Bin Laden way deader, kept the number of terrorist attacks in the US much zeroer, kept the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan way less ended, and kept Guantanamo way opener. We really missed out by not electing McCain.

[Djay0252]

12:23 AM on 09/13/2011

There is a medication for people woth your problem

[onasphere]

02:34 AM on 09/13/2011

Is there a medication that helps people detect sarcasm? If so, you need a healthy dose.

[Bradlinsky]

03:00 PM on 09/13/2011

That was way more cleverly written than anything McCain could have written, and I'm feeling much more fan-ier for having read it! :)

[trespanieli]

08:08 PM on 09/12/2011

Next week, he will flip-flop and say we need to attack Iran, Syria, Jordan whatever the mid eastern flavor of the week will be.

[Patriot Games]

06:07 PM on 09/12/2011

American hero? I say zero!.

[knott wrench]

05:45 PM on 09/12/2011

Yo! John, keep in mind, we're watching and listening to something that sounds like:

"I'm a Politician, which means people think, I'm either a Liar or a Cheat and when I'm not Kissing Babies, I'm Stealing their Lollypops"..... "The Hunt for Red October" the Movie.

By the way, on Social Security "Reform", how about You and Your Congressional Buddies Give Up yours and theirs?

I'm mean do yo really need the $1,200 dollars a month when you've got your US Navy Pension,
Getting a Big Fat $185,000 Dollar a Year Pay Cheque with Perks and then about the same amount when you Retire or Get Voted Out of Office.

Come on, do really need the Social Security Cheque? After all, if you need "Chump Change", you can Always Drive a Beer Truck for your Wife during the Congressional Recess, which seems to happen every 10 days or so and lasts for a month.