Part 7/17:
When discussing U.S. involvement in Syria, he emphasizes that support for terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, whether overt or indirect, undermines genuine efforts for peace. His visit to Syria, including a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad, exemplifies his belief that dialogue with adversaries is essential and that smearing opponents with false accusations only deepens global conflicts.
Regarding the use of illegal or excessive surveillance, he refers to former NSA contractor Edward Snowden’s revelations about mass data collection, criticizing the lack of transparency and accountability in intelligence agencies. He advocates for reforms to protect civil liberties, calling out the secretive FISA court and the danger of unchecked government power.