Bill Richardson: The World Has to Do More Regarding the Crisis in Syria

According to activist groups within the country, nearly 5,000 people were killed in Syria’s civil war during the month of August. If accurate, it’s the highest one-month death toll since the crisis began nearly 17 months ago.

Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson joined Shepard Smith on Studio B to discuss what's next for Syria. “I think what you’re seeing, though, is increased recognition that the world has to do more – more equipment to the rebels, it’s got to be more communications equipment, it’s got to be maybe shifting from non-lethal to lethal.”

He went on to say that he doesn't think Mitt Romney's solution to send American troops to Syria makes sense. "We don’t need another Iraq or Afghanistan. This is a very serious situation, but you have to weigh, what does US presence do to the Syrian opposition. It might hurt them. The population doesn’t want it, but at the same time, we’ve got to stand behind those people that are getting killed."

One positive Richardson noted is that President Assad is losing support from his top officials and army generals. He also thinks pressure put on Syria from Russia and China is increasing. “What we [the US] need to do is with Russia and China, convince them that they are the big backers of a losing effort.”