Trumpian treachery in Syria – “Russia role on the rise as Trump packs and leaves”
This debacle continues as Trump claims he’s in favor of world peace, likely because he “lost” the Nobel prize to someone who brokered actual peace. Even more likely is that Trump’s holdings in Turkey were threatened and he was given a signal that this withdrawal would be favorable to Putin.
This is shaping up as most chaotic US withdrawal from region. Rivals hurrying to collect the spoils.
With Assad deal with Kurds, a Turkey- Syria regime battle in horizon.
Russia role on the rise as Trump packs and leaves
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 13, 2019
Kurdish forces just called for Syrian army to take control of Turkish border. Looks like the end of the Kurds mini-state protected by the United States.
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) October 13, 2019
What's happening in Syria tonight above all represents a massive failure of US diplomacy. The US kept troops there to leverage US influence in peace negotiations to secure US goals. Now they're leaving in disarray & the opposite is happening – Iran & Russia are moving in.
— Liz Sly (@LizSly) October 13, 2019
US official tells @npwcnn that the campaign to defeat ISIS in Syria is “over for now” and that ISIS “has a second lease on life with nearly 100,000 [people] who will re-join their jihad.”
In this official’s opinion, “US policy has failed.”
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) October 13, 2019
2/ More Allen: "There was no chance Erdogan would keep his promise, and full blown ethnic cleansing is underway by Turkish-supported militias. This is what happens when Trump follows his instincts and because of his alignment with autocrats.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) October 13, 2019
And this is why House needs to see those Trump tax returns. Trump has green-lit a new Middle Eastern war by a dictator who controls some unknown percent of Trump's global licensing income. We cannot begin to assess US Middle East policy without knowing who's paying what to Trump
— David Frum (@davidfrum) October 13, 2019
I've spoken to hundreds of Trump supporters over the past three years. One of the reasons they say they support him is because he is doing something about ISIS… https://t.co/OeDRrcs1lr
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 13, 2019
New Trumpist talking point: the only way to stop Turkey massacre of Kurds is to go to war against Turkey. But Turkey never believed that: that’s why they asked Trump’s permission to invade. All he had to do was say No. He said Yes. Why? All the plausible answers are corrupt
— David Frum (@davidfrum) October 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/evanchill/status/1183398195042193408?
1/ I *think* this is a hugely important story that's yet to be excavated. Please let me know if anyone's gotten to the bottom of it.@juliettekayyem @just_security @lawfareblog
Many or most of Trump's closest advisors in NSC/DoD/State/etc. have been warning him for years …
— Marty Lederman (@marty_lederman) October 13, 2019
ii. What did the high-ranking DoD officers (and NSC officials, etc.) say to him when he called them and told them to issue the order? Did they try to talk him out of it? (cont.)
iii. What, if anything, can be done now, esp. in terms of force deployment, to limit the consequences of this inexplicable, disastrous decision? And if Trump won’t do it …
https://twitter.com/B52Malmet/status/1183493122128564224?
Just gave my resignation to the Bangkok Post 30 minutes ago . 3 cartoons about China & Turkey submitted this week , none published. Apparently it's very important not to insult the Turks who are massacring the Kurds @PravitR @CartooningPeace @plantu @CRNetInt @suranand @FCCThai pic.twitter.com/keYliHWUri
— stephff cartoonist (@stephffart) October 13, 2019
How cynical would it be for Trump to lift sanctions on Russia to oppose (_____).
And it looks like @LindseyGrahamSC has gotten @realDonaldTrump on board. Appears likely to be a veto proof majority regardless but Trump doesn’t appear to be fighting Graham. https://t.co/iGEJ8k8G6t
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) October 13, 2019
