As a 20 year Veteran of the USMC and The Persian Gulf War (Ops: Desert Shield and Desert Storm), I say “NO!” These MFs have been in a six-sided fight for the last six thousand years. Let them have at it. It has nothing to do with us. NO MORE “NATION BUILDING,” DAMN IT!
I don't understand our involvement in Syria, especially at this point, if its true that ISIS has been defeated?
I know our special forces are force multipliers but if ISIS is gone what forces are we multiplying against who?
Why do I give a crap if Assad stays? in fact I do believe knowing that the optometrist (I think Assad is an eye doctor maybe not) is a tyrant, after seeing whats happened after deposing Saddam, and Kaddafi - Assad old buddy how about you take this shit hole back over stop harassing the Israelis and working with Iranians and we'll let you back in the club.
As far as the Kurds go whats the exit strategy on that one - oh its never and here is why - The Kurds don't have any territory that other larger recognized countries also claim - none which seem interested in leaving the Kurds in peace to make a nice little shithole of their own.
We would have to make a nation for them - I thought we were done with nation building in this region and know the folly
More likely we are using the Peshmerga as proxy fighters to test out weapons using the fancy doodads force multipliers tend to have access to.
Its really not necessary for Americans to die in Syria this isn't our war - this is a different fight this is between the Kurds and the Turks.
Assad has already cut a deal with the Kurds. They will be useful allies to keep Erdogan out of Syria. US not needed.
So he is saying Turkey says they are coming despite our 50 soldiers,...so Rand’s answer is to tuck tail and run? What a sad day for America.