Trump suddenly
and without warning decided that America is pulling about 2000 special forces
out of Syria. I don’t know if this is
wise or foolish.
Why did he
do it? Probably just to distract America
and the world from the ever growing criminal investigations into his criminal activities. The long arm of the law is reaching out for
the Criminal in Chief.
I think
Putin is happy because that leaves Russia as the only superpower in the region
and elevates Russia’s influence in the region. Did Putin order Trump to leave? He certainly seems to benefit from Trump’s
foreign policy, and he seems to me to have some form of control over our president.
Who benefits
from American withdrawal from Syria?
Putin. He finally gets his long
term goal of being the sole power broker
in the Middle East. He gets to push
America out and put Russia into the power vacuum.
Who
benefits? The murderous Syrian
president, Assad (fully supported by Putin) because the Americans have been
helping the anti-Assad forces.
Who
benefits? Iran and their support for and
control of Assad.
Who
benefits? The authoritarian despot
Erdogan of Turkey who now has full permission to attack and destroy the Turks
who have been backed by America.
Who
benefits? ISIS, who were badly damaged
but have never gone away, melted into the populace, and will very likely emerge
newly, dangerously, and powerfully. They could claim a victory in pushing America out of Syria as a recruiting ploy, and perhaps multiply alarmingly.
Who
benefits? Russia, of course, as they
become the power broker in the Middle East.
Who
benefits? Perhaps the American boots on the
ground who are no longer in harms way.
Who benefits? Trump - in some way since his only motivation is to benefit himself - pleasing someone on Fox News? pleasing Putin? thinking he will get votes in 2020? probably just another day's distraction from his legal problems I suppose.
Who is
harmed? Perhaps American boots on the ground
in the future if ISIS and Iran and the forces of chaos multiply with the
absence of American influence.
Who is
harmed? Perhaps America. We lose all ability to negotiate and shape
things in Syria. We flee the arena and
turn over power to our avowed enemies - Putin’s Russia, Iran, and Assad.
Who is
harmed? American allies who have fought
and died with us and under our direction and protection. As always happens in the Middle East, America
has proven beyond a doubt that we are not reliable or trustworthy allies.
What is
likely to happen? Russia and their ally
Iran will control Syria. America will
not have influence in Syria. ISIS will
rise again. America will be drawn back
to fight and die all over again. I hope
I am wrong, but….
