Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, President Trump acknowledged that while Iran is also pulling people out of Syria, they “can frankly do whatever they want there.” He added that the he doesn’t want to be in Syria forever.
While this is likely intended more as a statement of fact than policy,
it’s gaining a lot of attention, particularly in the international
press. This is likely because the existing Pentagon narrative, before
Trump ordered the pullout, was that Iran was a primary reason for the US
to keep troops in Syria forever.
While US troops were sent to Syria to fight ISIS, as the defeat of ISIS
grew near a lot of officials started shifting the narrative to one of
forcing Iran out, which itself was defined broadly as expelling Shi’ite
militias deemed friendly to Iran.
That broadening of the definition of Iran, which allowed Israel to at
times claim preposterous numbers of “Iranian forces” in Syria, would
also make Trump’s acknowledgement of an Iranian drawdown unusual.
Though true, any number of actual Iranian advisers leaving Syria would
be a trivially small percentage of the “Iranian forces” when one factors
in vast militias from Iraq and Pakistan.
Poor bibi, he must be having daily night terrors. All this is an existential threat to his continuation in power.
He too has to try to figure out what the hell trump is talking about.
Was quite clear to me what he was talking about.
Really ? One week, he is staying in Syria to get Iranians out, tho he wants to go. A week later he says we are leaving, but doesn’t know when because the Iranians can do what they want in Syria. I guess the marines just keep the artillery limbered and wait for the next word salad.
Dave, Trump made the announcement before Christmas, then he and Mattis signed the order to withdraw ALL 2,000 US troops from Syria, as well as 7,000 from Afghanistan. Bibzy Nutty&Yahoo has no say in this matter .. Trump even told him his mind was made up and the withdrawal will proceed as planned.
What Trump has realized is that some 20,000 battle hardened Syrian forces are headed toward the very spot wherein the tiny US force of 2,000 are located. There’s no way they can fight against those odds .. they’re cowardly anyway, and will run across the border into Iraq with their tails between their legs.
Maybe Eileen. The 2 marine batteries (12 or more?) Satellite directed 155s can fire 5 rnds per minute, 25 miles. Marines would have air support and helicopter gunships. They function fine at nite. 20,ooo even veteran conventional troops wouldn’t make it to the marine perimeter in fighting condition. Veteran guerrillas might be a different story.
Talk about buyers remorse.
Bibi is out of work soon, may be in a prison cell protected by a nice strong wall
Would’ve been nice if Trump’s father had withdrawn.
He did. It’s the mailman’s kid.
…And Wars comes in with a groaner.
I always thought it was that lumpy traveling bronzer salesman who came over through the ratlines from Bavaria….
Rim-shot!
I can just see Bibi scrambling for the phone yelling, “Sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*rt! We paid for this d*ck!….”