"It's not a workable policy!"

"... Smith said no to both questions. On the issue of "responsibility to protect," the humanitarian doctrine often cited as a rational for foreign intervention, Smith said it's not a workable policy.... 

"Do we say if there is suffering anywhere we as the United States of America have a responsibility to try and fix it? ‘No,' is the answer to that question, because it's a challenge we can't possibly meet."

Regarding Syria specifically, Smith said there are just no good options, and definitely none that would make a difference without costing the United States too much........... "Right now I don't see that we have that type of support for something inside of Syria." ...... Syria is different than Libya because the opposition is spread throughout the country, and doesn't hold any territory, according to Smith. Assisting Syrians would therefore be logistically problematic, he said..... 

Smith also cited the lack of an international mandate for direct assistance in Syria.

"If that broad international support came together, you know, if there was a clearer military mission that could be achievable, I think it's something that if I were the president I would be looking at every day," said Smith. "Is the situation changing or evolving in a way that puts us in a position to help? I don't think it's there right now."