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What is Aleppo? Gary Johnson wrongfooted by Syria question What is Aleppo? Gary Johnson foxed by Syria question
(about 1 hour later)
One of the third party candidates in November's US presidential election has been ridiculed after being wrong-footed by a question on Syria. One of the third party candidates in the US presidential election has been ridiculed after being wrong-footed by a question on a key Syrian battleground.
Asked on MSNBC what he would do about Aleppo, if elected, Libertarian Gary Johnson answered: "What is Aleppo?" Asked what he would do about the city of Aleppo, if elected, Libertarian Gary Johnson answered: "What is Aleppo?"
After clarification from the questioner he suggested the only way to deal with Syria would be to "join hands with Russia". Mr Johnson later admitted he had "blanked" but said he would "get smarter" following the gaffe.
Aleppo has been one of the flashpoints of Syria's five-year civil war. Aleppo has been one of the major flashpoints of Syria's five-year civil war.
Fighting has escalated in recent weeks, with an estimated 300,000 people trapped in the city. Fighting has escalated in recent weeks, with an estimated 250,000 people living in besieged rebel-held areas.
While he trails far behind Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in polls, with both candidates unpopular among many US voters, analysts say Mr Johnson could play a part in deciding the result. Although he trails far behind Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in polls, both main party candidates are said to be unpopular among many US voters and analysts believe Mr Johnson could play a part in deciding the result.
'You're kidding me'
But he seemed unaware of the crisis in Aleppo when asked for his solution by panellist Mike Barnicle, saying: "And what is Aleppo?''But he seemed unaware of the crisis in Aleppo when asked for his solution by panellist Mike Barnicle, saying: "And what is Aleppo?''
"You're kidding me?" replied Mr Barnicle, before going on to describe the situation there."You're kidding me?" replied Mr Barnicle, before going on to describe the situation there.
"OK, got it, got it," said Johnson, before adding: "With regard to Syria, I do think it's a mess. I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end.""OK, got it, got it," said Johnson, before adding: "With regard to Syria, I do think it's a mess. I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end."
After being criticised for his "what is Aleppo" remarks, Mr Johnson stressed: "I do understand Aleppo and I understand the crisis" before expressing concerns that US involvement in such conflicts only makes the situation worse. Russia and the US have largely backed opposing sides in the Syrian conflict, with Russian aircraft providing air support to President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
Mr Johnson later issued a statement saying he had "blanked" when asked about Aleppo.
"Can I name every city in Syria? No. Should I have identified Aleppo? Yes. Do I understand its significance? Yes," he said.
Social media has been withering in its response, with #WhatisAleppo trendingSocial media has been withering in its response, with #WhatisAleppo trending