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Old 09-07-2018, 04:14 PM
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Question 'Mission Creep' Confirmed as Trump Replaces Vow to Withdraw From Syria With Embrace o

'Mission Creep' Confirmed as Trump Replaces Vow to Withdraw From Syria With Embrace of Indefinite Military Presence
By: Jake Johnson, staff writer 9-7-18
RE: https://www.commondreams.org/news/20...ace-indefinite

"Trump is maintaining an indefinite U.S. military presence in (i.e., occupation of) Syria, strengthening a policy of bipartisan imperialism, in an attempt to weaken the Iranian and Syrian governments."

Photo Link: https://www.commondreams.org/sites/d...?itok=SicQ_uU8
Thick smoke from an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition rises in Kobani, Syria, as seen from a hilltop on the outskirts of Suruc, at the Turkey-Syria border. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)

Just months after proclaiming to the American public that U.S. soldiers will completely withdraw from Syria "very soon," President Donald Trump has reportedly agreed to a new strategy under which the more than 2,000 troops currently occupying the war-torn nation will remain "indefinitely."

Other(s) inside Syria are saying: "We have to force the United States to leave."
—Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

"The new policy is we're no longer pulling out by the end of the year," James Jeffrey, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's representative for Syria engagement, told the Washington Post on Thursday. "That means we are not in a hurry."

To justify keeping American troops in Syria for an "indefinite" period of time, the Trump administration's new strategy redefines U.S. "objectives" in the country from "defeating ISIS" to ejecting all Iranian military forces and proxies from the country—despite the fact that Iran's presence in Syria, unlike America's, is at the invitation of the Syrian government.

In addition to attempting to expel Iranian forces, the Trump administration's new "strategy" in Syria will also consist of the "establishment of a stable, nonthreatening government acceptable to all Syrians and the international community," notes the Post.

While such an objective smacks of regime change, Jeffrey told the Post that U.S. policy is not that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "must go."

"Assad has no future, but it's not our job to get rid of him," Jeffrey declared.

While Trump has not publicly called for regime change in Syria, Bob Woodward reports in his new book—citing "deep background" interviews with top administration officials—that the president last year ordered Defense Secretary James Mattis to "go in" to Syria and "fucking kill" Assad.

Trump's embrace of endless war in Syria was revealed just hours ahead of a high-stakes summit in Tehran on Friday between the presidents of Iran, Russia, and Turkey.

In remarks at the start of the meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded that American forces immediately withdraw from Syria if lasting peace is to be achieved.

"We have to force the United States to leave," Rouhani declared.

Rouhani's clear demand for American troops to completely exit Syria came just as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warned during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Friday that Assad will face "dire consequences" if he launches an assault on Idlib province, one of the last areas controlled by Syrian rebels.

Further heightening the risk of dangerous escalation, the U.S. carried out a military exercise in southeastern Syria on Friday that, according to the military, included a "live-fire rehearsal" and an "aerial assault."

Progressive anti-war activists and commentators warned throughout the Obama years and during Trump's presidency that the U.S. strategy in Syria was a slippery slope that would inevitably lead to ever-increasing engagement in a complex conflict and fuel perpetual war.

In a Twitter thread breaking down the Trump administration's new Syria objectives on Friday, Emma Ashford—a foreign policy research fellow at the Cato Institute—argued that the White House's plan is "not a strategy."

"It's totally unrealistic. We might as well ask for a pet unicorn," Ashford concluded. "In short, the Trump administration appears poised to commit us to a costly, unnecessary years-long commitment in Syria. Only the justification is different: rather than the idea of stabilization, it's the Iranian bogeyman. And the goals are so vague, mission creep is assured."

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Personal note:

Is it just me or are we spreading are forces a little thin - sending more and more troopers to so many of these wild card countries? We get out of one mess into another time and time again. It seems like we are the "Big Brother" to all these third world countries only to suffer personnel losses for those in most cases don't really want us there??

Am I missing something? We have only so many military personnel to cover so many world wide issues - rotation of personnel each year only to come back or go to another conflict zone - time and time again?

What are the reasons Washington see's that requires our personnel to fight the conflicts world wide? Is it to keep other powers from moving in and/or is it just a political move for reasons we are not aware of?

I'd sure like someone to explain to me what the hell's going on and why we are always sending our personnel into harms way and for what gains? Is it our destiny to always be at war when other's just sit back and watch?

Boats
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O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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  #2  
Old 09-07-2018, 04:22 PM
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Question Russia warns US of possible Syria attack in area with US troops: report

Russia warns US of possible Syria attack in area with US troops: report
BY EMILY BIRNBAUM - 09/06/18 07:17 PM EDT
RE: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/40...-troops-report

Photo link: http://thehill.com/sites/default/fil...?itok=zMygQiTf

Russia has warned the U.S. multiple times this week that its forces are prepared to attack an area of Syria that has dozens of U.S. troops, according to a CNN report.

Moscow reportedly claims the area, which includes a U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition base, contains Al Qaeda or ISIS militants, according to the outlet. U.S. troops defend a 34-mile exclusion zone around At Tanf base.

The U.S. has discouraged Russia from challenging the American military presence.

"We have absolutely advised them to stay out of At Tanf," a U.S. official told CNN. "We are postured to respond."

"The United States does not seek to fight the government of Syria or any groups that may be providing it support," a defense official todl CNN. "However, if attacked, the United States will not hesitate to use necessary and proportionate force to defend US, coalition or partner forces."
The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday announced new sanctions on allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad amid concerns over an imminent assault on Idlib province.

“Millions of innocent people in Idlib province are currently under the threat of imminent attack from the Assad regime, backed by Iran and Russia, under the pretense of targeting ISIS. At the same time, the Assad regime has a history of trading with the terror group,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

Russia this week conducted strikes in Idlib, the last major stronghold held by rebels loyal to Assad.
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Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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