By now, most of you have heard about US Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson's extraordinary geography flop on live TV. As if Americans needed more flack about their knowledge (or lack thereof) of international affairs.
"And what is Aleppo?" asked Johnson on MSNBC's Morning Joe . "You're kidding!" says TV host and veteran journalist Mike Barnicle. "No!" says an emphatic Johnson.
Barnicle gives Johnson a short lesson about the embattled city that has dominated headlines for over five years. Then, the world chimed in.
UNICEF gently provided some facts about the humanitarian disaster
#ThisIsAleppo...because images speak louder than a thousand words
Heroic acts from ordinary civilians is also #Aleppo
Maybe if more of us asked "What is Aleppo?" there would be less inaction about it
Because the fact of the matter is that Johnson's flop was a bit of a blessing
While Johnson's slip up is embarrassing, it's worth noting that the candidate has based his foreign policy positions on less American military involvement throughout the globe. He consistently criticizes his country's involvement in regime change around the world and pushes for a more judicious approach to becoming embroiled in conflicts.
#ThisIsAleppo:
In May, Aleppo was under fire for nine consecutive days. Nearly 30 airstrikes hit medical facilities leaving hundreds dead, and countless others homeless.
Thousands have been under siege since July, after the regime cut the supply line into the area.
Since then, more than 300,000 civilians have been trapped in eastern Aleppo. Earlier in August, the Syrian regime and Russia announced the opening of four new humanitarian corridors to help civilians flee the war-stricken city.
In September, parts of eastern Aleppo were " re-besieged ."