Initially announced as a total withdrawal from Syria by President Trump,
the administration has backpedaled repeatedly, to the point where a
large portion of US forces will be remaining on the ground in Syria, and
about 1,000 or the current 2,000 are liable to spend the bulk of 2019
in Syria.
Officials say the current plan, such as it is,
would be to draw down to about 1,000 by early May, and then “pause” for
about six months. Then, there would be a consideration of withdrawing
some more troops, perhaps getting down to 400.
This is why there were reports the US intends to keep 1,000 troops in
Syria, because they do, and why the administration’s objections, and
arguments that the plan is still 400, is highly misleading, as that’s
now a best-case scenario.
The 400 troops, assuming it gets down there, would involve 200 troops
staying at al-Tanf base, and the other 200 troops participating in a
“multinational force” that not only doesn’t exist, but which all of the
other proposed members have openly objected being a part of.
Not clear — staying where, doing what? At Tanf, why is US not letting people leave Rukban refugee camp. It has ISIS members inside, and to protect them from being turned over to Syrian government, desparate people are forced to stay there. Why not let just those eho wish to leave — go. And keep militants in. But then, it mey become obvious that Al-Tanf has kne purpose — to protect assorted militants, including ISIS.
And what on earth would another 200 do in Kurdish area? Kurds will not, and cannot, get any independence, be that formally or informally by clinging on to power. If there is no motion in YPG disarming, and reintegrating into Syrian state, no state in the region will tolerate such status to linger for long. Certainly not Turkey.
Attack in Turkey’s currency — again — is just a result of impotent fury. Turkey must protect their nationsl interests, and will not allow any long term presence of a hostile Kurdish entity block its regional connectivity.
Basically, testing resolve of regional states, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria. In the long run — just a tripwire, just hoping somebody (anybody) kills a soldier, to justify escallation.
But by then, US may have hands full in Venezuela. Especially as US bold involvement brjngs back the ghosts of Yankee past. And the tentative grip on power US allies have in Argentina and Brazil — can dissapear real fast. Closure of border with Mexico has nothing to do with immugrants, but everything to do with Mexican president forcing three biard members of oil comany board off. The change in how Mexico is run is comming, and we do not like it. In short, if not carefull, the continent may find itself floating off to the east.
Figured the swamp would resist draining itself from Syria.
The Mackinderan military-economic war of attrition posture adopted by the Deep State means the U.S. keeps spending to keep Eurasia from building, or in Syria’s case, re-building.
Its not clear who loses proportionally more in staying in Syria.
Fortunately the U.S. has… Modern Monetary Theory, which seems to be some form of socialism morph where they replace state-produced stuff with state produced currency. Ostensibly to buy stuff.
Russia has… Russian crony capitalism.
Fight!
The NYT article says: ”
But in the latest twist to the on-again, off-again American withdrawal,
the Pentagon plans to cut its combat force in northeastern Syria roughly
in half by early May, or to about 1,000 troops, and then pause,
American officials said on Friday.” “American officials said on Friday”it says. No attribution so it is probably a LIE.
This is obviously more of the fight that Trump is having with the Swamp. Perhaps now that Mueller’s dud has dropped, Trump will push harder.
MAGA! (Mueller Ain’t Got Anything). 😉
The “bulk of 2019” is not what it was. We are a quarter of the way through already. That could still be true if we pulled out in just three to six months.
The hard truth is nobody really knows who is in charge, and it might be Bolton. Even Trump himself doesn’t seem to know.
We have a few Russians in Venezuela and quite a few “Americans” in Syria, could end up you hit our guys we hit your guys. Who has the best hand? Yet to be determined but Russia is respecting international law. It is probably up to Trumps so called fake Media propaganda. How do we get the US to play by the rules? God only knows but it has to do with the Pentagon.
Exactly, Trump is ignoring international law and Putin is not. The U.S. has not been invited into Syria by the Syrian govt while Russia was invited into Venezuela by they Venezuelan govt. Just like Trump ignoring international law by recognizing Golan Heights as Israel’s territory. But that is trump for you. He has no morals and no respect for the law if he can get away with it.
What a sick joke.
First, immediate and full pullout…then, 30-60 day…..then, 200 troops will stay….then, no timetable for pullout….then, 400 troops will stay…..then, no pullout at all….then 1000 troops will stay…….and then, U.S. military withdrawal from Syria will be paused as soon as the number drops to 1,000 troops……..and then, U.S. military may not reach the targeted 400 troop number until the Fall of 2020
if your confused, follow next weeks episode of SOAP.
It does seem like Jessica’s senile daddy is in charge.
Lol….exactly.
Of course, the same “Mueller and the swamp” excuses for spanky, the CIC. Try to grasp it guys, if he wants them out, they are out.
Of course we’re talking US GIs here, not CIA contractors which might number in the thousands. Only Erik Prince knows?
We have to get through the month of April, though, and Bibi might have a big surprise that involves Iran that would bolster his chances in the upcoming elections. If that happens, all bets are off when it comes to the number of US “boots on the ground.”
1000 targets for the syrian and syrian-allied forces (and of course some of the remains of ISIS and al Qaeda etc in those parts of syria )
as usual the US can’t do anything right any more in the world, strategically speaking, – it’s a dinosaur with a bird’s brain