I learned, just this morning, that there is now a cease-fire between Turkey and the Kurds; and President Trump was on TV this morning, taking an apparent victory lap in this regard. He noted that not a single American was killed or injured in that "blood-stained sand." And that is--on the surface, at least--a very good thing. He further noted that our European allies need to "step up" and do their share, militarily. And it is really hard to argue with him there. But if they decline to do so--and if America does not help, either--then we have, for all practical purposes, abandoned our Kurdish allies. And that seems like a purely amoral foreign policy, disguised as realpolitik. Moreover, his apparent reliance upon the advice of Rand Paul (R-KY) is instructive: It appears to be a rather large step in the direction of isolationism (sometimes described--euphemistically--as "non-interventionism"). And I find this rather alarming...
The US expedition into Syria that began with 50 troops for 30 days only is finally over. Trump triumphs again.
I really do not think that I would describe it as a "triumph" to allow untold numbers of Kurds (our allies) to be slaughtered, while embarking upon a policy of neo-isolationism...
It's untold alright. I've never heard any official numbers. But now it is over and the US is finally out of Syria.
I really do not know just how you would define "official." But the UN said, just last Friday, that at least 100,000 civilians have been displaced because of this conflict; and, of course, others were killed.
So trying to end perpetual war for perpetual peace is neo isolationism? There cannot be reasonable non war mongering foreign policy ? For that's isolationism? He ran on getting out of syris. Protecting kurds leads to Afghanistan . They got paid well and isis and Kurds dont like one another. A good thing the Kurds and sSyria joined forces given the Kurds live in Syria. Ha ha
Most Kurds live in Kurdistan. But the French and the English in 1919 decided there would be no Kurdistan and divided up the Kurds homeland giving Turkey, Iraq and Syria each a part of the Kurds land.
I haven't seen or heard of a written or spoken agreement between the USA and the Kurds to remain at their side after the destruction of ISIS. Can someone here direct me to it?
The reality of international politics was, IMO, accurately summed up with the quote: "In international politics, there are no permanent allies, only permanent interests.". Bit of a paraphrase, and I can't remember who said it. Who would've thought many years ago Japan and Germany would be allies today. Perhaps in 50 years circumstances could change and the U.S. could have Iran and North Korea as allies. Trying to maintain a moral position is noble, but in the end, Nature is a cruel governess.
Kurds want their land back anf none of the 3 nations want to give it back. Helluva problem. But not our problem.
That's what I say, not our problem. It was the French and British who caused the problem 100 years ago.
Actually the killings and ethnic cleansing was by the Turkish army's vanguard; the Free Syrian Army. They are the moderate terrorists we were arming and supporting these past years. To show that we haven't forgotten their services in killing off the Christians, Alawites and the rest of the trash in Syria, Washington just forwarded a few million to their propaganda outlet; the White Helmets. Right Margot, let's give the Kurds eastern Syria even though their home land is in Turkey, so that Assad with his tolerant and all inclusive government won't have the oil and gas to rebuild the nation after it was destroyed by UK, US, Fr, KSA, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. Besides it will make quite a few nations happy - like Saudi Arabia for instance.
There isn't enough oil and gas to rebuild Syria in Eastern Syria.. Their future is OFFSHORE reserves. Assad destroyed Syria..
Is US-occupation and regime-change wars a better policy for the US in the Middle East than neo-isolationism?
Israel has a safezone against Hezbolllah, now Turkey will get their safezone against YPG PKK. Why do America have to control every aspect of every arrangement, I find working with other countries towards an end result (the way Trump just did) much more effective. Unstuck from a very sticky situation.
"Abandoning The Kurds" Was it the Bush or Obama admin who "unfriended" Mubarak? Allies come and go depending on the circumstances.
Amazing how the progs pivoted on a dime from "US out of the Middle East" to "We broke it, we bought it" the minute Trump started withdrawing troops.
Then tell your Progressive friends to declare ware against Syria and Turkey and Russia. We will wait until then ..... Or do you want Trump do just go to war like a dictator? Like Obama did?
I can answer that. Yes, yes they do. It is their most fervent wish that their "Trump the bloody warmonger!" dreams come true.
Other than Israel (who shouldn't have) I can't recall a government that gave up their land without fighting a war to protect their homeland.
