Having just built multiple observation posts in Syria, along the Turkey border, US officials say the military is going to quickly withdraw from them, as part of an effort to buy some time with Turkey as they complete a full US pullout from Syria.
The observation posts were presented by the Pentagon as a confidence-builder for Turkey, to give them warning if any Kurdish forces got too close to the border. Turkey’s President Erdogan was deeply critical of the move, saying the US was really observing the Turkish military to prevent them attacking the Kurds.
Ironically, ditching the posts is intended to prevent the exact same thing, with hopes that this will please Erdogan, and that the US will be able to keep Erdogan talking, and not invading, for awhile. At least long enough to get the US troops out of Syria.
Though it is clearly the preference of the US not to have its Kurdish allies overrun outright by the Turkish military, it’s clearly going to be more palatable if the US doesn’t have 2,000 troops in the middle of it. This oft-threatened Turkish invasion is likely a driving reason for President Trump, who just spoke with Erdogan a couple of days ago, wanting to withdraw.
Trump won the election in part because he had the most sensible foreign policy. In the first two years he acted stupid and listens to the wrong crowd. Time to focus on the national debt and U.S infrastructures.
I would just like to echo the words of Khalid bin Ahmad Khalifa, Bahrain foreign minister: “Syria must regain control of all of its territory”. This includes territory US now controls in the name of mythical SDF. As this force has no Syrian Arab. componrnt, it is illegitimate US placeholder for a prospective Kurd state run by YPG, a branch of Turkey PKK.
Keep in mind that in Arab world symbology is everything. Why has Bahrain been chosen to break ice with Assad? Because ruling family in Bahrain is Sunni, while 80% of population is Shia. During Arab spring Bahrein was rocked by turmoil, and severe measures were put in place to control population. Saudi Arabia sent tanks into Bahrain to help maintain order. Iran was then accused of instigating uprising of Shia population.
Move fast forward — Bahrain Foreign Minister in Selfember UN meeting, embraced his Syrian counterpart. What do we think — with or without MbS approval? Of course the choeography has been written in Riyadh. Symbol number one — Sunni rulers of Bahrain are opening up to demonized Shia Oresident of Syria. Knowing full well that 80% of Bahrain Shia population fervently support survival of Syria and Assad. So, opening up to Assad, means creating goodwill and opening to reconciliation in Bahrain society. MbS takes some credit, and pulls its forces, saving money. The same minister then stated the need for Arab countries to get involved. On Saudi Al Arabiya Channel he rejected the term “regime” being used — Syria has Governent. And he further added, “we deal with governments even when we do not agree. We do not deal with thise trying to topple governments”. I am wondering what is this attachment US created in Syria? If Arab world has embraced survival of Syria — we cannot do anything alone. Those that never wanted any deal in Syria unless Assad goes, were members of High Negotiating Commitee on Syria, housed and funded by Saudi Arabia. Well, MbS has defunded it, and it is defunct — considering US acceptance of Assad government — I am assuming that US has no intention of picking them up for funding.
Constitutional Assembly can now proceed apace. Kuwait sent media to interview Assad, calling him brave man. Considering Muwait has 40% Shia population, it is clearly trying to make nice to Shia populace, as well as its Shia neighbors, Iraq and Iran. But symbology does not end there — the first state visiit to Damascus by an Arab State. President of Sudan came to open dialogue with Saudi coalition — Sudan and Egypt being largest. MbS was wise to expand his coalition to include two large Red Sea states, so they will have more clout in negotiating Yemen sertement. Sudan has opened that dialogue and is reopening embassy. Jordan reopened embassy and opened borders. Syria political settlement is moving now on all fronts.
The problem with our poltical classes is — ignorance and arrogance. Anybidy can tell them nonsense — and they are OK with that. There is no ISIS other than those in refugee camp. YPG has been battling not ISIS -/ but restive population rejecting Murd domination. Trump us right — get fast out of nation building, we are not there to ethnically cleanse Syrian Arabs and give the land to Kurds. Kurds — that is YPG, must return to their homes — and stop occupying other peoples towns and villages.
The danger with rabbid neocons is — they will try to justify staying in Syria by whatever incident they can create, and invent ISIS.. YPG is in danger of losing leadership to kther Kurdish parties — so they are very likely to support whatever excuse for US to stay.
Senators Graham and his cohorts must show us on the map where exactly is ISIS?
It would not be hard. Because once Saudi Arabia stopped paying for Islamic cults of various names —there are no more salaries, cars, computers, weapons. They went home whereever they came from. Or took employment with Turkey.
If Syria is good enough for Gulf states, it should be good enough for us. Let them and China pay for reconstruction.