I have thought that General Mattis was not a Trump Supporter for some time. However, I wonder if this pull back from Syria and Afghanistan is not a response for Saudi Arabia’s recent actions. By their murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi’s proved again what their true nature is. We have been guaranteeing their security for decades without them paying for it with the idea of keeping a stable oil supply. President Trump stated that their would be consequences for their actions, and he is withdrawing his military support for them. Also, in Afghanistan, it has been a money pit that we have financially supported since 2001. If you read Trump’s statements, it is obvious to me that he no longer views us as the ‘policeman’ for the world, if we are not compensated for it. I think it is strickly business. The downside is that the only country worth supporting in the area is Israel, but they are capable of protecting their own interest. In the end, they will be alone militarily, but again, they have prepared for that possibility. I sure as hell don’t believe that this is a sign of cowardice, as was the case of Obama, but in preservation of our assets and making others pay for their own interest. Just my opinion, but there is more going on than meets the eye. President Trump is reshuffling the deck and a major change is happening. I don’t know what direction he will take us, but ‘status quo’ has never been Trump’s MO...
Cannot climb Wall of Text...
A lot of really greedy already rich people got even richer with all these wars since Iraq...and a lot of decent young men paid the ultimate price. I believe POTUS is sick of it.
He doesn’t want to see the US in this financial situation mostly due to winless wars and still having to call families to tell them their son is dead and FOR WHAT? So Lockheed can get richer?
POTUS has changed our other excuse for sending men to die - oil. The whole thing has been a horrible scam.
I think Israel will either protect itself or we’ll help one way or another. POTUS certainly won’t be abandoning them.
Trump works together with MBS on all issues in the middle east and the game plan from now on is to let the Saudis take the lead. One of the driveby complaints is that the kurds will be effected.
Well they will!The Saudis just agreed to fund them with a billion dollars in new improvemtns and business ventures.
In addition troop wise there is this:
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/12/21/checkmate-saudi-crown-prince-mbs-sends-replacement-troops-to-defend-kurds-in-syria/
Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the DC Decepticons are concerned about the Kurdish groups in Syria as the President Trump withdraws U.S. forces. The concern stems from a possibility of Turkey taking hostile action toward our Kurdish allies. However, a new report from the region highlights Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is sending his forces to replace the U.S. troops.
SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia and the UAE have sent military forces to areas controlled by the Kurdish YPG group in north-east Syria, Turkey’s Yenisafak newspaper reported.
The paper said the forces will be stationed with US-led coalition troops and will support its tasks with huge military enforcements as well as heavy and light weapons.
Quoting the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the newspaper reported that a convoy of troops belonging to an Arab Gulf state recently arrived in the contact area between the Kurdish PKK/YPG and Daesh in the Deir Ez-Zor countryside.
This comes at a time when Ankara is preparing to launch an expanded military operation with the Free Syrian Army against the Kurdish PKK group in the northeast of Syria. (read more)
Now let’s consider the brilliance of this move.
First, remember Turkish President Recep Erdogan was the antagonist in the Kashoggi matter and Erdogan orchestrated the blame toward Saudi Crown Prince MbS. There is no better motivated mid-east ally to protect the Kurds against any military action by Turkey other than MbS. No doubt MbS and UAE will send their best forces.
Secondly, what military equipment will MbS and the UAE be shipping along with their military troops? Those would be military purchases directly from the U.S.
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So looks like the Sauidis and the UAE will be taking the place and then some of the 2,000 troop we will be pulling out of a no-win state syria.
More Trump brilliance you will never read about.