Syria in the past was nominally a problem due to their antagonism with Israel — pretty well handled by the Israelis — and their alliances with Iran and Russia. The latter were certainly a headache for us, but, I agree, not to the point where I’d have called Syria an enemy we needed to topple.
The bigger problems with Syria came first when nitwits Hitlery & Obummer decided Assad had to go: That as we all know resulted in ISIS in control of much of the country, and growing. THAT could not be tolerated. So, we, the Russkis, Iran, and the Saudis (in a more clandestine way) set about ripping out that crop of weeds (ISIS). That IMO was necessary. It also ultimately saved Assad’s behind, but left Russia with more influence and personnel, and IRAN with a LOT more influence (more like partial control) and personnel, in Syria. The Russia part IMO we can still live with, but the heavy Iranian presence could get very problematic unless we have a pretty solid understanding with Russia that the Iranians will be kept in check...
Then there are the Kurds - do we just abandon an ally?
What a mess!
Thanks, Hillary!
(Is a “ /s “ necessary?) :-(
I remember vividly when ISIS marched out of Syria. Someone was actually posting maps of their march across the desert on FR, while Obama did nothing to keep the monster his policies created contained.
I like looking at maps. The worst thing that could've happened is Assad being toppled while ISIS could take control. That would've given them a corridor to the Med, and a very easy path to southern Europe. The Kurds? Why not give them the northern third of Iraq as a nation, but they stay within those borders? We owe Iraq NOTHING with their non-existent effort to stop ISIS. It would also keep that portion of Iraq out of the claws of Turkey or Iran. And Turkey is still our ally?? What a shame nobody in history warned us against entangling alliances or the military-industrial complex. (is a "/s" tag necessary?)
I was hoping President Trump would read up on US History when he got to office, maybe get Pat Buchanan or someone with that level of knowledge in to get him up to speed. President Trump still picks sides, sometimes missing the context of facts when he's defending a friend. President Trump by nature is a builder, not a destroyer. I do hope he gets back on that path.