[mac_truck]

Good summary and analysis of the Syrian conflict.

[onedoug]

Wipe out islam. It’s the only thing that will work.

[Wuli]

It is neither a good summary or great “analysis” of conflicts in Syria. It is more just a snapshot of elements, not an analysis.

No; the U.S. should not “declare” victory. It should remain, helping our real friends there, the Kurds, and make sure that everyone - Russia, Assad and Turkey, understand we and the Kurds are and will remain a presence in northern Syria and require our and the Kurds cooperation in any “all Syria” solution.

We neither have to go after attacking Assad, Turkey, or the Russians as if we seek to broaden our scope. We only need to remain and remain strong enough to counter attacks on our friends, the Kurds.

Assad and the Russians will either make a fair and honest deal with the Kurds, in a federated Syria, or a de facto carve out of northern Syria will be achieved by the Kurds, with us standing by them in the absence of any broad agreement.

That is all we have to do. It is neither expensive or a waste. It puts everyone on notice that they cannot unilaterally make any “all Syria” solution, and that in the end we and the Kurds will be part of it, or there will be no such solution.

That is as much “success” as a permanent American presence needs to make.

[Navy Patriot]

Good article.

Mac, Everyone, the NI link opens to page three of the article, for easy reading scroll down to the bottom and select page one.

[rdcbn]

After all the disasters we have seen in the Middle East it might be a good idea to stick around a while

Overthrowing regimes and destabilizing the region, only to leave prematurely and hand the region to al Qaeda and Iran has not been a winning strategy

Five thousand troops in Iraq would have prevented the Middle East melt down and the rise of ISIS

[stylin19a]

but the Marines have all these artillery shells left...can't we just use ‘em instead of shipping ‘em home ?

[Phlap]

Defeat can be declared but Victory can only be achieved.

[MichaelCorleone]

Why would anyone want to stop all the senseless wars and endless killing? The NeoCon nutjobs don’t have to send their kids, just hoodwink you into sending yours.

Gotta keep those dividends coming in from Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman...

[veracious]

Agreed!
Why are we still there?

[ballplayer]

Syrians,Russians,Iranians all want influence there,Obama gave it away,they will go after Israel,we will be right in the middle