Syria

[Got Stripers]

Trump looking for a win after months of losses, decides I will ignore all my advisors and pull all military out of Syria. He proves once again his grasp of world politics isn’t the best and that he couldn’t give a sh^t what his advisors think. He could save us all some tax dollars by letting go all advisors since he doesn’t listen to them anyway.

[JohnR]

As long as we support the Kurds (most of them anyway) we should continue to step back from Syria. If Assad gasses his people again, level a couple palaces and Mil installations.

Syria could be the 21st century Sarajevo.

Right now the major players are Syria, remnants of ISIS, RUS, Turkey, Kurds, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the USA. With a sticky web of interconnected alliances and oppositions. I once saw a pretty smart guy I follow say if you want to see Game of Thrones level complexity in real life, just watch Syria.

Less than 2 years ago, ISIS had an enormous presence in Syria, today it is significantly smaller.

Less than a year ago, US forces had the biggest battle against Russian (mercenary) forces since ever. US forces killed a couple hundred Russian Mercs and several hundred more Syrians when that group tried to attack an American unit on the other side of the deconfliction line. This could have turned south very, very fast.

I feel sorry for the Kurds, and for the local Syrian population, but we cannot risk WW3 fuse starting there.

[Pete F.]

John don’t you think ww3 will likely start in the Middle East and we need to keep a presence there.
Though maybe the rest of the world, us included, need to stop supplying them with weapons. Some people are making a lot of money arms dealing
I have a F of F who’s making what a doctor makes in a couple yrs in a month selling in the Middle East
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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

John don’t you think ww3 will likely start in the Middle East and we need to keep a presence there.
Though maybe the rest of the world, us included, need to stop supplying them with weapons. Some people are making a lot of money arms dealing
I have a F of F who’s making what a doctor makes in a couple yrs in a month selling in the Middle East
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"John don’t you think ww3 will likely start in the Middle East"

Probably.

"we need to keep a presence there"

So were you opposed when Obama withdrew from Iraq against the wishes of many advisors, or is it only problematic when Trump does it? I think the entire developed world (NATO, UN) needs to have a presence there, not just us.

"the world, us included, need to stop supplying them with weapons"

Great point, I agree 100%.

[wdmso]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

"John don’t you think ww3 will likely start in the Middle East"

Probably.

"we need to keep a presence there"

So were you opposed when Obama withdrew from Iraq against the wishes of many advisors, or is it only problematic when Trump does it? I think the entire developed world (NATO, UN) needs to have a presence there, not just us.

"the world, us included, need to stop supplying them with weapons"

Great point, I agree 100%.

Trump didn’t ask his generals it appears or our allies again Iraq and Syria are not the same
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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by wdmso

Trump didn’t ask his generals it appears or our allies again Iraq and Syria are not the same
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'Trump didn’t ask his generals'

How would you happen to know that?

[wdmso]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

'Trump didn’t ask his generals'

How would you happen to know that?

Ask Mattis he's the Sec of defense and was surprised or did you missed the headlines of the the people shocked by the announcement and his letter is wider in scope then syria

PS mattis isn't one of his generals and he was surprised the Generals under him more likely had no idea

[Pete F.]

Jim
Obama #^&#^&#^&#^&ed that up for domestic political reasons just like trump is
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[Nebe]

He wants an escalation there to happen right around re election time. Step one is to create a power vacuum. Step to is to let it explode. Step 3 is to seize power while everyone is terrified by the situation.
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[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by Nebe

He wants an escalation there to happen right around re election time. Step one is to create a power vacuum. Step to is to let it explode. Step 3 is to seize power while everyone is terrified by the situation.
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You assume he has a lot more skill at critical thinking and planning than I do.
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[wdmso]

Leave stay not a big issue my concern it’s the reason he’s claiming isis defeated .. we are no safer from isis then we were when he took office .. they were never a threat to the states ... as republicans portrayed..

On Iraq more misinformation From the right

President George W. Bush who signed the Status of Forces agreement in 2008, which planned for all American troops to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

"The agreement lays out a framework for the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq

The State Department's lawyers said troops couldn't stay in Iraq unless the Iraqi parliament authorized them to do so, including granting them immunity from Iraqi law. The Iraqi parliamentarians would never OK such a decision, with Iraqi popular opinion staunchly against U.S. troops staying.

Sorry facts got in the way again
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[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Nebe

He wants an escalation there to happen right around re election time. Step one is to create a power vacuum. Step to is to let it explode. Step 3 is to seize power while everyone is terrified by the situation.
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He may have spoken with his NatSec team . You or I do not know that.

Originally Posted by wdmso

Trump didn’t ask his generals it appears or our allies again Iraq and Syria are not the same
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Originally Posted by wdmso

Leave stay not a big issue my concern it’s the reason he’s claiming isis defeated .. we are no safer from isis then we were when he took office .. they were never a threat to the states ... as republicans portrayed..

On Iraq more misinformation From the right

President George W. Bush who signed the Status of Forces agreement in 2008, which planned for all American troops to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

"The agreement lays out a framework for the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq

The State Department's lawyers said troops couldn't stay in Iraq unless the Iraqi parliament authorized them to do so, including granting them immunity from Iraqi law. The Iraqi parliamentarians would never OK such a decision, with Iraqi popular opinion staunchly against U.S. troops staying.

Sorry facts got in the way again
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Excert that people in Iraq and people in USA begged Obama to improve i the SOFA, but he walked away.

[spence]

Well, at least we have Mattis, best in the business, as SecDef.
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[Got Stripers]

Originally Posted by spence

Well, at least we have Mattis, best in the business, as SecDef.
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No longer resigning as he is not in agreement with the direction this is going.

[PaulS]

Another cabinet-level position whose views aren't aligned with the president.
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[PaulS]

I wonder if Mulvaney can do this job too
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[JohnR]

Well that sucks.

Originally Posted by Got Stripers

No longer resigning as he is not in agreement with the direction this is going.

I think you missed the sarcasm.

[Got Stripers]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Well that sucks.

I’m old




I think you missed the sarcasm.

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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Well that sucks.






.

Mattis is a national treasure, and if Trump can incentivize a guy like that to abandon his post, Trump really needs to be reined in. Right quick. It won't happen, he's not capable of changing course (Trump), he's never wrong.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Mattis is a national treasure, and if Trump can incentivize a guy like that to abandon his post, Trump really needs to be reined in. Right quick. It won't happen, he's not capable of changing course (Trump), he's never wrong.

Agree. Not sure if he resigned or was fired but it doesn’t really matter.

You now have the C team leading the free world with no clue what they’re doing.
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[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

Agree. Not sure if he resigned or was fired but it doesn’t really matter.

You now have the C team leading the free world with no clue what they’re doing.
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In my opinion they have a good
vision on policy ( which is why ISIL continues to suffer, and why our economic fundamentals continue to be healthy despite many who say a recession is overdue, and i also love his SCOTUS picks.) I agree with most of his vision. It’s his personality that’s beyond repulsive, must make it just about impossible for people to work with him.

His policies, if you happen to care about security and the economy, are working, in my opinion. He just has no ability to make people want to work with him, and that’s also part of the job requirement. It should
benthe easy part. Not for him.
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[Pete F.]

Don’t worry Stephen Miller, a 33 year old Trump advisor with no military and little political experience outside of domestic political is helping Trump
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[Got Stripers]

Trump listens to only the little voices in his head, which is why the revolving door at the White House exists, it’s where sain people with some self respect get the F out of there.
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[PaulS]

You guys are way too critical. He knows more than generals and is a stable genius
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[wdmso]

will thoses who are inclined to see Mattis in a non partisan... How will they see his letter...

My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.

Military speak You Can’t Lead From Behind

yet over at breitbart big leads about house spending bill with wall funding

3\4 down the page in tiny font Mattis saying Retiring as Secretary of Defense

even they cant spin this one

[Pete F.]

If you read Secretary Mattis letter, I think he was crystal clear and I quote
“One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.”
“My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.”
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[Got Stripers]

The people praising the action should concern all of us.

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by Got Stripers

The people praising the action should concern all of us.

There are a lot of things, even much more important than this, that should concern all of us. But that ain't gonna happen.

I have great admiration for Mattis. And also for his reasons for resigning. I have great admiration for generals like MacArthur, who was fired by an also admirable Present Truman.

I heard a respected general on the radio today who agreed with the pullout. We still do have troops and allies in the area. And we still have airpower there, which is what we mostly used anyway.

I have gut reactions to the Syrian involvement. And I can't explain why, but I felt a sense of relief that we're getting out of there. As well would I if we pulled out of Western Europe.

I'm not praising what Trump did. But I don't condemn it. Nor do I think that our alliances are in danger because of it. I kind of like the idea that Russia and Iran will have to spend their blood and treasure to finish off ISIS. Russia couldn't defeat the Afghan mujahideen because we armed it, and so, as a reward, we got the Taliban in return. Maybe Russia can do the job on ISIS if we don't interfere. Although, like JohnR, I would love to arm the Kurds to the hilt and somehow help them to be independent. But, considering the perfidious nature of the region, who knows how that might come back to bite us.

Oh, well, now my less than praise but lack of condemnation should be of concern to y'all. Love it.

[wdmso]

News that the White House had ordered the Pentagon to draw up plans for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan provoked widespread criticism that the move would kneecap efforts to broker a peace deal to end America's longest war.

But there was one group on Friday celebrating the reports — the taliban

Yep Trumps got our allies backs

seems that the US's closest allies may not have known about the prospect of troop withdrawal in Afghanistan. Before the news broke, BBC

Or Trump decided to withdraw U.S. troops after call with Turkish prime minister

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by wdmso

News that the White House had ordered the Pentagon to draw up plans for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan provoked widespread criticism that the move would kneecap efforts to broker a peace deal to end America's longest war.

But there was one group on Friday celebrating the reports — the taliban

Yep Trumps got our allies backs

They can get out of Afghanistan. Why are they there? Are they trying to build an Afghanistan in their own image? Are the Taliban Afghans? Can our allies arm the Afghans the way we did when they fought the Soviets? The Afghans are reputed to be these fierce fighters. They seem to lose their fierceness when big daddy America doesn't have their back.