A former US ambassador to Syria yesterday praised the big role Qatar plays in settling regional disputes and handling different regional and international issues.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency, Robert Ford, who served in Syria from 2011 to 2014, expressed his belief that the United States’ relations with the GCC members under the new president will remain just as strong as now, despite the passing of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).
Ford, a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, noted that the US administration issued an executive veto against the law and many specialists and diplomats in the US were against issuing that law as well.
He added that the US Department of State is generally opposed to the law and is keen on ensuring it doesn’t impact Washington’s relations with other countries, especially the GCC members.
Ford commented on the differences between Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, back when she was the secretary of state, and President Barack Obama.
He said Clinton has experts at her campaign who advise her on Syria.
Some, such as Steven Simon, are against intervention in Syria. Others such as Michele Flournoy say it is paramount that the US intervene to resolve the Syrian crisis.
He added that he was not sure which way Clinton was leaning.
On the liberation of Mosul in Iraq from ISIS, Ford said US forces were making progress in both Mosul in Iraq and Raqqah in Syria.
He warned that, even after a military victory in the two cities, ISIS and Al Qaeda will continue to have cells operating in Iraq and Syria and those two must be eliminated.
Ford turned to the presidential elections and said he expected Hillary Clinton to emerge as a strong winner.
The US diplomat said that he has offered his help and backing to the Clinton’s campaign.