Fmr. CIA Chief Morell: Time for New Strategy Against ISIS, Ally with Syria, Russia

America's current strategy against the Islamic State (ISIS) isn't working and needs to be replaced, says former deputy director of the CIA Michael Morell.

That strategy should probably include working with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russia, Morell said Sunday on "Face the Nation." 

After the recent downing of a Russian passenger jet in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula coupled with Friday's deadly terror attacks in Paris, Morell said ISIS clearly has succeeded in its ability to attack Western Europe. It has the same plans for the United States, he said.

"I think it's now crystal clear to us that our strategy, our policy, vis-a-vis ISIS is not working and it's time to look at something else," Morell said.

The United States currently is focused on a bombing campaign against ISIS targets in Syria, but it also considers the Assad regime an enemy. Russia, meanwhile, has allied with Syria and is conducting bombing campaigns of its own.

While Russia claims to be fighting ISIS, the United States has said it has been hitting the Free Syrian Army, with which the U.S. is aligned.

Morell admitted it is a "very complicated situation," but said the United States should consider working with Assad, and Russia as well in wiping out ISIS.

"I do think the question of whether President Assad needs to go or whether he is part of the solution here we need to look at again," Morell said. "Clearly he's part of the problem, but he may also be part of the solution."

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