ADVERTISEMENT

Rogin: A Split Between Kerry And The White House Does Exist

February 3, 2014

Senior correspondent for the Daily Beast Josh Rogin joined CNN Monday to discuss the deteriorating situation in Syria, saying a rift has evolved between Secretary of State John Kerry and the White House.

Rogin’s report comes after Sens. John McCain (R, AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R, SC) revealed that Kerry told a group of lawmakers that President Obama’s policy towards Syria was failing.

"Kerry expressed deep frustration with Russians, with the Syrian government slow rolling the chemical weapons issue," Rogin reported. "Basically all of his faith in the administration's current policies is failing and he advocated for more internal measures by the White House."

Regarding the White House’s pushback on McCain and Graham’s statements, Rogin said the difference of tone between the senators and Kerry, but noted "the level of frustration is deep" and that Kerry and other officials had been stifled by a White House that opposes any further involvement by the United States in Syria.

Rogin also noted the divide between the intelligence community and State Department on one side, and Obama’s closest advisors on the other:

JOSH ROGIN: I think the split has been apparent for years. if you remember, two years ago Hillary Clinton and David Petraeus have advocated for arming the rebels. Now the split seems to be John Kerry and CIA Director John Brennan on one hand, and [National Security Advisors] Susan Rice and Ben Rhodes on the other hand.