Posted on 12/13/2017 4:17:41 PM PST by Texas Fossil
US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, “We will continue to work through all our partners to try to stabilize the country.”
Spokesperson Nauert commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russian soldiers will be pulled out of Syria and said, “If Russia chooses to pull out, certainly, that is its choice to do so, but we continue to work through all our partners to try to stabilize the country.”
US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert answered questions about Syria in the daily press briefing.
Nauert said the following on the question about Russian President Putin’s announcement that Russian soldiers will be pulled out of Syria:
“Russia may consider its job in Syria to be done. Our job in Syria is not done. And when I say “our,” I don’t just mean the United States, I mean the entire coalition. There are still pockets of ISIS. The country still needs to be stabilized. (…) If Russia chooses to pull out, certainly, that is its choice to do so, but we continue to work through all our partners to try to stabilize the country.”
Nauert stated that the US remains committed to the Geneva process on Syria and said, “We believe that the future of Syria will not include Bashar al-Assad, but that is ultimately up to the Syrian people and the Syrian voters to decide.”
Sounds like Russia has decided they have accomplished their purpose.
The real issue will be Turkey and Iran.
The US has no interests in Syria.
None.
We expend blood and treasure for nothing.
Sometimes the only thing worse than U. S. involvement is no U. S. involvement.
IMO < the McCain, Clinton, Graham, Rubio, et al goal was to push through and remove Assad. That was not something I was interested in. Assad isn’t perfect, but Syria could do a heck of a lot worse.
Going after ISIS and other terrorist entities is a decent thing to do. Basically it’s the U. S. troops (in the region) we needed winding down Iraq.
I think the goals of this seem decent.
I support it.
It would be silly to pull out and let ISIS regroup.
Trump has it about right here IMO.
Let the people of Syria take care of Assad, and without game playing (I might add).
In a way yes, but being involved in operations does keep the troops trained and techniques used to fight these sorts of battles updated.
I think we have learned a lot over the last few decades related to combating terrorists in these environments.
I do not think it would be wise to pull everyone out, and then leave it like Obama did.
That sure didn’t work out so swell.
We also have contacts in the region, and I think it’s best to keep those active.
Being there helps us categorize the players. We develop network workups and can monitor people globally.
I honestly don’t think this is a zero gain effort.
’ we will work...to stabilize Syria...”
well, it was Obama that destabilized Syria, massively (and imho criminally)
whether we or anyone can stabilize it now? i’m not so sure
Turkey finished their buffer zone in Northern Syria. They are shelling the first YPG positions near the first town east of the Euphrates
http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2017/13-december-turkish-artillery-shelling-ypg-positions-in-ame
Assuming you are correct on some oblique interest of the US to be there, I contend those interests are best served by helping Assad gain total control over his entire country.
Thereby eliminating any terrorist breeding ground.
Is Heather crying!? Geesh. No, Syria is a sovereign country and USA has not been invited in. The going after ISIS excuse has expired. The trying to help Kurds has also expired as USA says the hell with them now that they helped us beat ISIS. Just pull the plug Don. It is not our business.
Another fine example of deep state control over United States foreign policy.
I’m not convinced you’re wrong there.
I was never a big fan of the rebellion in Syra. It happened in the time frame of the Muslim Brotherhood fiasco circling the region. It seemed an odds on favorite to be more shenanigans from truly terrorist enterprises.
Libya is no better off today for the things that transpired there. I don’t think Syria or the region would be benefited by the rebellion there.
Stabilizing the region and supporting talks between the rebellion and Assad, to try to avoid further bloodshed would make sense IMO.
If Assad was agreeable to let bygones be bygones, and the rebellion would agree to live in peace there, it certainly seems to me to be a good thing.
Who in their right mind would think arming and funding our enemies in Iraq would be a swell idea. We were told we were arming “the good” al Qaeda in Syria. There’s no such thing. It was a whacked plan from the get-go IMO.
Not a long term commitment? Horse puckey. The insidious neocan internationalists still have too much influence.
Good news! Iran and the government of Syria should be stopped from supporting terrorism and threatening the U.S.A.
No way the Russians are totally pulling out of Syria - they went to war to preserve their access to their naval base at Tartus. I’d bet they plan to keep their new air base too.
Some specialized units (like artillery) won’t be needed when combat ops wind down, so naturally some troops will head home.
The announcement of withdrawal is for public relations, and to try to pressure/manipulate the US into a foolish withdrawal (while Iran sends their surrogates in).
There's something about Mary, that they don't know, Mary, there's just something about Mary .
It is clear that the Kurds have done more to stablize Syrian than anyone. They have a working relationship with the Arabs. They have all had a belly full of ISIS animals.
I’m not a leftie (it is clear) and many of the Syrian Kurds have adoped a communal mindset. In their defense, it may be the only way to survive where they are. They are like our preppers in the US, except they are actually in a war zone. The did a great job of growing food for the fighters and with little outside help in the beginning they found ways to be self sufficient. When we stepped in with Air Support and advisors it was a huge boost, but they were already doing a good job without much help. The displaced people respect them for this. They have earned respect. We in the US should even respect them. Some don’t, it saddens me, the Syrian Kurds are very good people and tough soldiers. Even the women (YPJ), they were the force that first held against ISIS in Kobane (without our air support). In Sep/Oct 2014 it was desperate, I was watching in awe. They held against animals with heavy armor.
Elimination of ISIS is not just good for Syria, it is good for the World. It even has some Arab support in the Coalition. They have a personal interest in this. The Saudi’s have new management, they are cooperating with Israel as a foil against Iran. The problems are Iran and Turkey. Both very bad players.
Assad is not one of the “good guys” but is not Iran or Turkey evil.
Remember, Both Saudi Arabia and Israel were ready to recognize the Kurds. Amazing. That is what triggered the reaction from Iran in Iraq. That is when the Quds commander bulldozed his way against the KRG and we were telling them to wait. Some of the PUK actually engaged the Iranians and were bloodied but took they portion of flesh too.
There will be no peace in Syria without the Kurds. Iran and Turkey want Kurds crushed.
So, it falls on the US, Assad, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel to bring some stability again. (there are other Arab Gulf states in the coalition)
Russia says they don’t want to fight on in Syria. They think their job is done. They have no wish to have a conflict with the US. Iran will try to drag them into it.
What will that take? Nobody knows.
That is exactly what is happening. Assad cannot regain total control without the Kurds. The Kurds know what Assad is, but do not want Syria dismembered. They dream of shaping Syria into a Democracy (leftist). I'm not a subscriber to their ideology, but they have demonstrated they can make communities work. Arab, Kurd, Assyrian, Turkmen and get along. It has already been done in many places.
There is no long term commitment between US and Syrian Kurds. Period. Both sides understand it.
We have said we will stay to stabilize it. With Turkey and Iran involved, this is no small order.
Before Trump, you are correct. Since Trump not so much.
Actually, from the Siege of Kobani in Sep/Oct 2014 we actually moved away slightly from the Arab Jihadi’s trying to overthrow Assad.
Hillary and Obozo foreign policy destroyed the ME. Took it from long term bad into total flaming disaster.
They deserve to be punished for their actions.
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