Ben Carson backs out of Israel and Africa trips claiming they would be 'too dangerous'

There will be no trips to Israel or Africa anytime soon for Ben Carson. According to a campaign spokesman who talked with The Hill, Carson has canceled his plans to visit Israel, Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria at the end of the month due to "significant" security concerns that weren't elaborated on.

"They were of such a nature that we found it prudent not to put anyone at any kind of risk," spokesman Doug Watts said. Carson told reporters in Iowa that "It's classified information so I'm just going to say it's too dangerous."

Carson recently traveled to Jordan to visit Syrian refugees, a trip that was likely intended to convince voters of his foreign policy credentials. The trips to Africa and Israel would have functioned the same.

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"I think it'll make me look smart to not go into some place where there's a lot of danger," Carson said of his decision.