Posted on 03/29/2018 2:53:28 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
The Trump administration is trying to walk a fine line between Turkey, which it still refers to as a NATO ally, and our Kurdish allies on the ground in northern Syria, and it has become increasingly painful and disheartening to watch.
For the past two months, as Turkish troops have pounded civilians in the northern Syrian city of Afrin, Turkish President Recip Tayip Erdogan has verbally assaulted and taunted America.
After initially threatening to kill U.S. liaison officers working with the Kurds, Erdogan then warned the U.S. commander in Syria, LG Paul Funk, to beware an “Ottoman slap.”
The fact that U.S. commanders – undoubtedly under the direction of Defense Secretary Mattis - continued to avoid any direct contact with Turkish troops only emboldened Erdogan. Just before the final assault on Afrin last week, he taunted: “NATO members are not powerful enough to stand up to Turkey… [T]hey do not have the cheek.”
Once YPG fighters withdrew from Afrin on March 15, and civilians evacuated in the following days, Islamist militias backed by the Turkish army swooped into the city, destroying Kurdish cultural sites and plundering homes and businesses.
These were exactly the people the U.S. has been trying to defeat on the battlefield. And here Turkey has made them their allies and is training and equipping them.
As I argued in these pages two months ago, Turkey has long since stopped behaving like a NATO ally. It’s time that the Trump administration faced these facts and got tough on Turkey.
(Excerpt) Read more at frontpagemag.com ...
And here we are.
This troubles me greatly, but the truth is undeniable.
“Time to Get Tough with Turkey”
Decades overdue.
Gee whiz, should Trump cuddle that Tar Baby NATO, or cuddle that Tar Baby Turkey?
About a million US Troops on one side or the other should be the deciding factor.
Maybe both sides!
Agree.
It may not be the time yet to bust a cap.
It is the time to honestly evaluate what this “relationship” costs the U.S. Not just in money but also in threats to our real allies.
A Syrian town, threatened by Turkey, counts on US backing
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/03/29/syrian-town-threatened-by-turkey-counts-on-us-backing.html
No, getting tough with Turkey would take the focus off of Russia-Russia-Russia. Or Assad bombing his “own people” [who ever they are].
I remember the battle of Manbij, and the Syrian Kurds lost over 500 soldiers liberating it from ISIS. (and Obama told them leave or we will cut off all funding, to suit Erdogan)
After liberation they SDF helped them hold elections and select their own leaders, proportional to the various ethnic groups. It is still run that way.
I battle photos almost daily on the major offensives. Before we stepped up funding and supplying the SDF, when Trump took office.
There is nothing to “fix in Manbij at this point. Jihadi’s are out, and locals are armed and prepared to defend it. Multi ethnic force.
Turkey only want to capture it to take it for himself hand his Jihadi’s. That must not be allowed. Too many died to free it.
Here is a NYT article I posted here on FR about Manbij defenders
Meet America’s Syrian Allies Who Helped Defeat ISIS
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/world/middleeast/syria-kurds-islamic-state-manbij.html
FR Comments: https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3632872/posts?page=1
Thanks for link to Fox article.
I heard we’re fleeing Syria.
just read this at wash examiner...SAY WHAT???
State Department caught unawares by Trump’s promise to pull out of Syria
Me too, just posted link to article.
I think it has to do with the Russia bs pulling of the diplomats?
French Special Forces to be deployed in Manbij very quickly: Macron to Syrian Kurdistan delegation
http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/01ae994c-01b0-4e2b-b009-e8509777de46
Piece of the Puzzle as it unfolds.
France in it’s self is not the solution, but a first step.
That is good.
It will leave the Russians free and unfettered to deal with Turkey.
You may have just hit it.
None of this makes sense, but what you just said does.
Friends of mine have long told me that Russia is playing with Erdogan. From the time the Turks downed the 1st Russian Jet. Putin never forgets was the response from them.
I this is true, he set the trap, Erdogan took the bait.
Putin has been re-elected with huge support. He is basically out of Syria except for Air bases and Port access points.
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