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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
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Not defending or criticizing his actions here (at this time) but our original objective in Syria was to take on ISIS/ISIL, not the Syrian government. The actions of ISIS were spilling into Iraq and then some and the were quickly becoming a significant international threat. I realize Trump announced and even escalated the US objectives by directly attacking Assad's forces (in response to their use of chemical weapons) but this was to fulfill a warning sent by his predecessor.

The point is, we were only supposed to be there for ISIS/ISIL and he is essentially saying that objective is complete. I don't like leaving allies behind, but the Kurds aren't really doing themselves any favors as they take their fight to Turkey as well. The US does not support that.
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MSG Stan Hutchison
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IMO, it is either that or he is kowtowing to Turkey. They want to destroy the Kurds, an if we pull out we will be abandoning them. Damn, that sounds familiar.
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Capt Jeff S.
Capt Jeff S.
6 y
The Kurds do themselves no favors are are using us to accomplish their objectives, just as the Iraqis did after we toppled Saddam. There are no good people over there. On an individual basis, yes, but collectively, no. Throughout history, nobody that lived with the Kurds liked them very much. There has to be a reason they have never had their own country. As it is they want to carve out a piece of Iraq and Turkey and call it their own. We don't need to get involved in their regional conflicts. The PKK (a Kurdish terrorist group or freedom fighters depending on how you look at it) has caused problems in Turkey and we don't need to be supporting them or those that benefit from their ”benevolent” terrorist activities.

As much as the war hawks in DC and the Military Industrial Complex would like u$ over there, I think in the long run we will be best served by staying out of their business. The US has an awful track record of meddling and mucking up countries in the North of Africa and Middle East. Perhaps it's time to turn a new leaf and not try to involve ourselves in other countries’ affairs. We have enough domestic problems to attend to and our money would be better spent on our own border security and welfare of our own citizens. It's stupid to have to borrow money to help others fight their battles.

An not a pacifist and have not grown soft but I doubt many of us could state a compelling reason to be over there other than to poke Russia and Iran in the eye. If our foreign policy is to thwart theirs, then it is time we did some reevaluating and asked ourselves if it is worth saddling future generations with debt to fight wars we can't pay for.
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MSG Stan Hutchison
MSG Stan Hutchison
6 y
Capt Jeff S. - OK,,, does that include the monies we give Israel? Too late to address what we gave in the past but what about this:
"For FY2019, the Trump Administration is requesting $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel and $500 million in missile defense aid to mark the first year of the new MOU. The Administration also is seeking $5.5 million in Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) funding for humanitarian migrants to Israel."

Now, I am not against Israel. But if we want to assist them, plus protect our own interest in the region, we need stable countries. Can we ensure that? I doubt it, but we keep trying. Another conundrum we as a nation face.
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MCPO Roger Collins
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MSgt Michael Bischoff
MSgt Michael Bischoff
6 y
Objection was there when Obama pulled the troops out also. How can using his (Obama) action to justify POTUS ignoring better heads in this action?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/27/iraq.dems/index.html
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