@SSG Robert Mark Odom thanks for the share

At least they were not using potatoe guns!

I'd just like everyone to pay attention to the numbers stated here; about 1,000 total forces withdrawn from Syria, with 200-300 remaining in Al-Tanf, with 5,000 or so remaining in Iraq. Ya'll do realize who those "200-300" probably are, right? This isn't the same as it would've been pulling out of Berlin to leave it to the Soviets (though the decision to stay was no small part of the reason for the Cold War)...neither is it the same as when MacArthur left 90,000 men on Corregidor.

If we had stayed, it may very well have meant war with Turkey...a NATO ally, and possibly (though I'll admit I think it's a long-shot) war with Russia. The Kurds feel betrayed...so would I. The Russians are going to claim it as a "win" in terms of regional prestige...it kinda is at this point. ISIS may very well "re-emerge"...we may have defeated the last incarnation of it, but it's still a very old faction that likely isn't going anywhere short of the total conquest of the entire region.

Here's what burns me...no one (outside those involved directly) cared before, and they only "care" now because there's an opportunity to turn former military and "right wing" supporters away from Trump. I've seen no great diaspora of Americans seeking to join the YPG, and I'm going to be astonished if the campaign slogan of the leading Democratic presidential candidate in 2020 is, "Make War in the Middle East Again!"

We could...MAYBE...convince NATO to back punitive actions against Turkey. MAYBE Russia would be willing to support joint action to ensure the Kurds are protected, and ISIS doesn't rise from the ashes. If that all became a reality, I have to believe there's a plan on the ground right now to do so. However, I don't think either could've been considered if we had maintained status qo...I just hope someone with stars on their collar and the President's ear thinks like I do.