While it would have been wiser to leave the 2,000 American troops in Syria longer, both to ensure ISIS’s demise and to protect the Kurds, and while the administration benefited greatly from Secretary James Mattis’s restoration of deterrence, which merited him a much longer tenure, the hysteria over the withdrawal of troops and the unfortunate resignation of Mattis as something end-of-the-world devastating and historically unprecedented is as weird as it is incoherent.
First, we should remember that earlier General Mattis did not resign from the Obama administration; he was summarily and without much cause fired — reportedly without a phone call, causing outrage in January 2013 from many who now see his resignation as unprecedented.
Two, defense secretaries, given the nature of the job, have historically sometimes had short tenures. Harry Truman and Barack Obama each had four different secretaries, many of whom were controversial and at odds with their bosses. At some point, policy differences outnumber agreements, and secretaries resign or are forced to resign. The list of defense secretaries who departed either in less than harmonious scenarios, or for a variety of reasons after only a few months, includes a pantheon of American luminaries, from George Marshall to Donald Rumsfeld, Leon Panetta, and Elliot Richardson.
Three, earlier this year Mattis was the subject of a lot of curious stories quoting appraisals of him as “bulletproof,” given that despite his numerous disagreements with Trump (reportedly on getting out of the Paris climate accord, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, quitting the Iran deal, transgender soldiers, etc. ), he still was seen as invaluable to the president, who had given him, according to Washington conventional wisdom, unusual latitude and exemption to focus on rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrent policies.
Four, earlier this year Trump had promised to put troops into Syria to finish up destroying ISIS for “six months.” So his deadline was not really much of a surprise, although most had thought, given the success of the mission, that a continued presence would be in the country’s and the administration’s interests.
Erdogan–DT definitely tied to another strongman economically and militarily—-gave him the green light to begin the massacre of soldiers and civilians—-ISIS detainees escaping detention.
DT—“Will apply economic sanctions” That a sick joke?
Mattis—“Re-instilling Trust will be very difficult.”
@Richard Wheeler: Yeah, he’s about to put crippling sanctions on him, a definite sign of affection. Sheesh.
“crippling” LOL too little much too late—-he’s tied to Dictator Erdogan and against our greatest backers –The Kurds
I’ll say it’s a gutsy–most would say stupid—move to bail on the Kurds.
@Randy:
You don’t seem to understand; Comrade Greggie Goebbels is not only a top notch Constitutional scholar and analyst and an expert in tax law, he assumes himself to be a foreign affairs expert. I’m sure he has access to all the aspects of the Kurds/Turks situation as Trump does. If you doubt any of that, Comrade Greggie will be happy to explain to you why he knows so much more than you do.
Of course, left wingers are always doves when it come to foreign involvement unless there is a reason to become hawkish, such as TDS. Never mind that there are NO good guys in the Middle East. They have been at each others throats since the 7th century. The Kurds really have no homeland and what they do consider their home land they were fighting for with us, not any glorious goal of helping U.S forces to keep America safe.
If Comrade Greggie is so worried about helping the Kurds, I suggest he cowboy up, buy an airline ticket and volunteer in their efforts against Turkey. He and Wheeler can sit next to each other on the flight. All this talk about how the Kurds helped us with ISIS, but wait, weren’t we told that ISIS was just the JV team?
@Rich Wheeler:
The Israelis are our greatest and most reliable backers; Obama had no problem abandoning THEM, repeatedly taking the side of terrorists against them. Trump is in no way, form or fashion “tied” to Erdogan.
@Deplorable Me: —Tied–!) NATO member 2) Trump Towers in Istanbul
How many Israelis have died fighting BESIDE our troops?
@Richard Wheeler: How many Kurds have openly allied themselves with the United States, supported us in battle (as opposed to allowing us to help them) and, when asked, withhold retaliation for Iraqi Scuds being fired into their neighborhoods to not complicate our multinational force during Desert Storm? HUNDREDS of innocent Israeli civilians were killed.
Again, where is the useless, worthless, cowardly, anti-American, Muslim tool UN when they should be pushing sanctions against Turkey, Syria, Russia and Iran for creating unrest and promoting terrorism? Apparently, no one even expects the UN to do its job anymore. Well, the US isn’t sacrificing its lives and treasure so a bunch of murdering Islamic warlords can exploit us anymore, either. Just force them to keep their exterminations within their own borders.
You’ll have to do quite a bit better than THAT weak-ass excuse for “tied”. HOW is Trump “tied” to Erdogan? Obama, with his Muslim sympathies, was tied to Erdogan; Trump has no such issue. But, close your eyes and ears and hate away.
Pres Trump is playing Turkey.
Pundits and Trump-haters who pick a position based on Trump being on the opposite side are sucked in.
Here’s the deal.
No NATO nations go to war against one another.
Turkey is (presently) in NATO.
Pres Trump challenged Turkey’s Erdogan to avoid killing civilians or else, sanctions.
Erdogan has gone ahead and bombed northern Syria.
Civilians may or may not have been killed.
Depending on whose reports are trusted, Turkey may get slammed with sanctions.
Erdogan will hate this.
He will threaten (he already has) to open the floodgates allowing “migrants” from the 3rd world to engulf Europe.
Europe and the USA will kick Turkey out of NATO.
THEN, Pres Trump can oust Erdogan with the help of other NATO countries.
In the meantime, the Kurds will be living in their area of Iraq’s north, picking fights with one “apostate” against their version of Islam after another.
Never forget the lies of Kurds was why Bush/Cheney thought Saddam had already made WMDs, not just the precursors he had.
@Deplorable Me, #49:
Yeah, it’s good to remind oneself of the cult doctrine—even if it’s a steaming load of horse manure.
You seem to have conveniently forgotten that the republican majority House refused to even consider Obama’s February 11, 2015 request for authorization to use military force against ISIS, and gave him no support whatsoever when he proceeded against ISIS despite their refusal to act. Operation Inherent Resolve was undertaken without republicans doing a damn thing. U.S. airstrikes Obama ordered against ISIS had already commenced on August 8, 2014.
Trump just betrayed our allies in that conflict, allowing thousands of ISIS supporters and fighters to escape in the process.
Trump is a bungling nincompoop who takes credit for what others have accomplished and blames them for his own screw ups.
@Deplorable Me: TRUMP TOWERS in Istanbul–no ties??
You sure got a H.O. for the Kurds—neither Repubs or Dems side with you on that.
Nan—Civilians as well as your beloved Christians are already dying and many more will follow—sanctions will mean nothing to Erdogan—another strongman thug who cares little for his people—-NATO WILL NOT kick them out.
Any possibility we bomb Trump Towers in Istanbul–that will show Donald is serious.
@Richard Wheeler:
The only apparent H.O. here is the one you have for Republicans. But then, we know how well Democratic leadership is working out for Loonafornia. Everyone loves black outs.
@Greg:
Because Democrats wanted to put too many restrictions and restraints within it. Besides, he HAD an AUMF to fight al Qaeda, which ISIS is a branch of. Democrats were merely wishing to put more restrictions on our military capabilities.
But, of course, you miss the point (intentionally, most likely). YOU demanded the AUMF. YOU demanded Trump have an AUMF before he took any of the actions you fantasized he was about to take (war on N. Korea, war on Iran). YOU demand an AUMF be in place, but even though Trump doesn’t have one in Syria (where we shouldn’t be anyway), YOU insist he should stay there and commit MORE lives. How does that work, exactly?
Trump is standing by the US; he hasn’t betrayed anyone. Obama betrayed the entire region by unleashing ISIS on them and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood disrupting stable governments. Trump is having to clean up gigantic messes Obama left behind (his legacy) and is doing it very well. Trump is cleaning up after the bungling idiot.
Why aren’t you expecting the UN to be doing its job and resolving conflict? Oooo…. that’s a tough one to answer, isn’t it? If they weren’t getting fat off bribes and pushing the global warming scam, perhaps they would be doing their JOB.
@Richard Wheeler: What do Trump Towers have to do with Erdogan? Is he a partner? What you are saying, though, is that Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi all are “tied” to China and Ukraine then, right? (actually, they ARE… deeply)
Explain.
Again, NONE of you whining liberals said ONE WORD while Obama created these messes but have plenty to cry about as Trump SOLVES them.
retire05: Actually I am siding with the majority of Repubs who belIeve in supporting our allies the Kurds–good for them.
We’re doing just fine in California—another perfect day—particularly for 5-0 Niners
@Richard Wheeler: I’m siding with America.
@Deplorable Me: GOD BLESS YOU BILL
@Richard Wheeler:
In lieu of our NATO allies the Turks?
Your empathy for those affected, both personally and financially, by the fires and the incompetence of the power company is really something.
@Richard Wheeler: I certainly hope so, by no means assured.
From Business Insider, October 13, 2019 – 9 hours ago – Disaster is unfolding in Syria as videos emerge of US allies being slaughtered and hundreds of ISIS prisoners escape during airstrikes
“Disaster” apparently isn’t hyperbole.
From FOX News, 5 hours ago – Turkish airstrikes in Syria reportedly target journalist convoy, civilians; at least 9 dead
@Greg: All Obama legacy. Wouldn’t be happening without Obama.
@retire05:”in lieu of” ??—did you mean rather than??
Majority of Repubs disagree with Trump on this—-I side with them.
Bill —You can’t complete a comment without referencing BHO—–can’t you simply defend DT on his own merits—-ODS IS SO 2017.
@Deplorable Me: The General on CNN,Trump has blood on his hands. Choke on it General, the USA hasnt won a war in 70 fugging years. Policies and failures of Military “experts”. Turkey needs to be booted out of NATO it has fallen to extreme factions, as long as they are a member cant battle them.
There is no victory in the ME these silly camel jockeys have been fighting each other for over 1000 years.
No more American blood for the industrial military complex, CFR and other factions.
Next Afghanistan another military experts failure and money pit.
Kremlin relishes US pullback from Syria, turmoil in Ukraine
Putin’s payoff, with still more to come.
@Richard Wheeler:
Except for those who only wish to blame Trump for everything bad that ever happens or ever HAS happened, discussing the situation in Syria is not possible without the context of how we got to this point. But, that’s just me.
@Greg: Why is Putin in Syria in the first place? Who brought him into the picture and, to save himself the embarrassment of his idiotic “red line” declaration, put Russia in the driver’s seat in Syria? Here, I’ll save you the trouble of embarrassing trouble of ignoring the question dozens of times… it was OBAMA. Obama has been Putin’s bitch from the beginning and Trump is cleaning up the messes.
@Greg:
Check the date of this posting Sat, Dec, 22nd, 2018 Nice try lib.
Wheres Hunter?
@kitt: Yeah, but, you know…. Trump always lies. Except when he is doing exactly what he said he would do.
@Deplorable Me: Without Barry arming and funding terrorism I doubt there will be an ISIS resurgence, according to the news 1000 American advisors are protecting the entire Kurdish tribe.
Turkish airstrikes in Syria reportedly target journalist convoy, civilians; at least 9 dead where were these brave war correspondents when Barrys “freedom fighters” were slaughtering, raping or enslaving everyone in their path?
@Deplorable Me, #73:
Because he intends for Russia to become the dominant power in the Middle East as a step toward shifting Europe into Russia’s sphere of economic and political influence.
Look at a map. His strategy focuses on gaining control of gas and petroleum resources. Iran is his ally. Syria is his ally. With Iraq bracketed, he’ll soon be the dominant power at the center of a strong Russia/Syria/Iraq/Iran coalition. He’ll be in a position to control both Europe’s Middle Eastern oil supply and the natural gas they require from Russia. Bringing Ukraine into Russia’s sphere of influence is part of that same picture.
Trump, who is utterly clueless regarding geopolitical strategy, is Putin’s golden opportunity. Trump views all things in terms of the power of money. He sees the organizing principle as business structure. Putin looks at maps.
@Greg: Should 1000 Americans be trapped in the crossfire? Pull them out, let the ragheads die for their country. Its not US territory, we are not the worlds unpaid police force. I am sick of American blood sacrifice to the war gods profiting off both sides of every conflict they stir up.
I dont care if Russia makes money off their gas.
More production means lower prices and the poor can afford to heat their homes, dont you care about the poor freezing?
We’re not even sure there is a “crossfire,” Kitt.
ABC News just pulled their bogus video supposedly showing what a slaughter it is in Syria what with Turkey firing in it.
Turned out it was video of an annual night-time gun display show from Kentucky!
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/abc-news-slaughter-in-syria-footage-appears-to-come-from-a-kentucky-gun-range
The link still shows ABC’s footage as well as several videos from the Kentucky shows over several years.
@Greg:
And Obama handed them that dominance. He had to; he made a stupid, rash promise and then had his bluff called. Putin, a thousand times smarter than Obama, gave him an opportunity so slither out from under his self-imposed obligation and Obama leapt at it. Now, the Russians are solidly emplaced in the region again.
But, Trump is expected to just keep following the same idiotic path. No, Trump does what is good for America, not Putin or the Muslim Brotherhood.
@Nan G: Oh, but that is just too typical. That’s a real Dan Rather there; they know the Turks are destroying the Kurds, but they don’t have an evidence of it. So, they just make it up.
But don’t call it “fake news”.
@Nan G: @Nan G: @Nan G: They wouldnt be trying to pull a fast one…would they? But it has a dude with a Brittish accent narrating, how could this be FAKE NEWS ?
Another hit?
@kitt: Oh, THAT is going to be juicy.
@kitt: Kitt Where are you getting your news??
I’m getting mine directly from truth teller DT—-says he’s placing “major sanctions” on Turkey because they’ve begun a major ground and air offensive against the Syrians and Kurdish forces in Northern Syria “stop the invasion”—is he telling the truth or making it up–ie lying
You always have sources none of us are privy to that are extremely reliable—what’s actually happening? I am thinking of buying a vacation home in the area based on your assurances-that all these casualty reports and rumors of war are simply fake news
@Richard Wheeler: Is ABC one of your very reliable sources?
@Richard Wheeler: What the hell are you talking about? ABC news pulled a video. The narrator said it was a turkish attack, it was a firearms demonstration in Kentucky. Look close you can see an audience. https://www.bizpacreview.com/2019/10/14/abc-news-regrets-using-fake-video-of-kurdish-civilians-being-slaughtered-that-was-really-a-gun-range-in-kentucky-839328
They were busted faking news.
Why would you need a vacation home when your California is so utopian?
I dont get my news from the boob tube.
I got my info from Trump—says he’s “placing sactions” tells Turks to stop “invasion”—how bout you guys–you got better sources.
Is Trump lying? Does he ever do that?
Kitt—shame on you said you were watching CNN–Seriously—what are your sources that claim Trump is lying again—seemed pretty credible when I heard him today
@Rich Wheeler: He is saving our men from a very dangerous situation, placing sanctions on an aggressive radicalized member of NATO that crosses its borders to create trouble.
ABC couldnt wait for a real attack they had to FAKE one to make it look like a few advisors can save the Kurds.
How can you trust your sources that have lied so often?
I never said I was watching CNN
Again—my source is Trump’s mouth—-what are yours.
Are you saying there is no invasion no casualties–Isis fighters are not free from detention—all is calm
Do you have any sources or just making it up on the fly—is Trump lying?
@Rich Wheeler: Never said there was no invasion either. Why try to twist my posts to try to suit your mindset?
@kitt:
He doesn’t know. You talk about how a fake news video was outed and he pivots to ……….but, but, but Trump replying “Are you saying there is no invasion no casualties–Isis fighters are not free from detention—all is calm”.
Bottom line is Wheeler just likes going after women since he doesn’t have the cajones to take on other vets.
Remember, this is the same guy who supports the Democratic Party that left our soldiers with their a$$es hanging out to dry in Vietnam. And failed to keep their promises to the Afghans after they chased Russia out of their country which opened up the opportunity for Al Qaeda.
Are you saying there is an invasion without casualties?
Tell this Marine how that works please
Bottom lie Trump left our Allies the Kurds to die–no warning—green lighted Erdogen to invade–now sanctions—-chickenshit and Repubs and Dems and all our allies know it.
@Richard Wheeler: I am saying the boobtube media are a pile of lying overpaid propaganda spinners. If Trump says there was an invasion he has the info.
He will crush their tiny economy, our mens blood need not be sacrificed.
Now quit being a lying coward by twist my posts, next time cut and paste the confusing (only for you)parts of my posts.
Bottom lie Trump left our Allies the Kurds to die–no warning=lies lies lies this article is almost a year old how is it without warning?
I didn’t twist anything—asked for your secret sources–crickets as usual
Gave you mine—Trump.
Sanctions on Turkey?—laughable–won’t stop Erdogen who Trump green lighted to massacre the Kurds—and free ISIS prisoners as collateral damage
@Richard Wheeler: I am saying the boobtube media are a pile of lying overpaid propaganda spinners. If Trump says there was an invasion he has the info.
He will crush their tiny economy, our mens blood need not be sacrificed.
Now quit being a lying coward by twist my posts, next time cut and paste the confusing (only for you)parts of my posts.
@Richard Wheeler: Wow Trump calls you personally, thats fascinating.
You who have no skin in the game couldnt care less how many servicemen get killed or crippled for something that has no benefit to the USA.
Green Beret Officer—-“They trusted us and we broke that trust”
Shame on you ol bone spurs
You think Patriots like Lindsey Graham or Jim Mattis will accept this betrayal?
@Richard Wheeler: We dont care what they will accept. No more dead Americans for nothing.
Rich stopped being a Marine a long time ago. He is exhibiting the symptoms of severe brain disorder. (Lack of use!) Peons like Rich who have never had the responsibilities to determine life and death issues for those who worked for him can never understand the complexities of real leadership. All he and they can do is find fault with the minute piece that they think they understand.
@kitt:
Because only the lies feed their prejudices.
@Richard Wheeler:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-withdrawal-from-syria-was-not-unplanned-300770163.html December 21, 2018.
@Randy:
Oh, but wait………..don’t you remember? Wheeler was a Marine officer in Vietnam, don’t you know? Surely he is also an expert on the Middle East, right?
American vets have gone to other nations to help fight oppression. Perhaps Wheeler can jump on a flight to the ME and help out the Kurds. I’m sure the Kurds would welcome an over-the-hill former Marine who could advise them how to win considering his expertise in the ME.