McCarthy calls for beefed-up US response against IS, Russia

WASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the front-runner to replace House Speaker John Boehner, denounced President Barack Obama's foreign policy on yesterday, saying the US has "lost the respect of allies and adversaries alike."

McCarthy, R-Calif., who spoke after the president addressed the United Nations, said the US should consider putting some special forces on the ground in Iraq to help coordinate airstrikes against Islamic State militants.

He also backed a no-fly zone in northern Syria to stem the flow of refugees, and provide a space for Syrian rebels to fight the militants — steps the White House has so far opposed.

"We must wage this war against radical Islam as if our life depended on it. Because it does," said McCarthy, who also reiterated his criticism of the international nuclear deal with Iran.

"We have lost the respect of allies and adversaries alike. We have isolated Israel while emboldening nations like Iran. We let North Korea threaten South Korea, Russia encroach on Ukraine and now China is asserting a greater sphere of influence," McCarthy said. "Wherever we look, the world is less safe and less secure because America is less engaged."

McCarthy is a heavy favorite to replace Boehner. The speaker announced his resignation Friday amid growing discontent among some of the most conservative members of the House Republican conference. Reporters rushed McCarthy after his speech, but he wouldn't confirm that he was going to run for the speakership, even though it's widely expected that he will.