CNN, the 24/7 Hate Trump Network, editorializes that “a US withdrawal of ground forces would fulfill a major goal of Syria, Iran and Russia and risks diminishing US influence in the region.”
Ah yes, it’s all part of the vast Russian conspiracy. Back in the real world, however, the idea that influence can only be had by means of having troops on the ground is ridiculous on its face. And the idea that the U.S. must forever have troops invested in areas with no end point, no plan for victory, no clear goal — that just saps the nation’s resources and produces no good result. Trump is right: the Islamic State has been defeated, although it still has forces there and could experience a resurgence — in which case the situation would have to be reevaluated. Still, on January 19, 2017 it looked as if it was going to be occupying a large portion of Syria for decades, if not generations, to come. Now its power there has been immensely diminished. It’s time to bring the troops home.
“Trump orders rapid withdrawal from Syria in apparent reversal,” by Barbara Starr and Ryan Browne, CNN, December 19, 2018:
Washington (CNN)Planning is underway for a “full” and “rapid” withdrawal of US troops from Syria, a US defense official told CNN Wednesday.
The decision, which would be a reversal from previously stated US policy, was made by President Donald Trump, who has long signaled his desire to get out of Syria, the official added.
On Wednesday morning, the President tweeted, “we have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.”
Even though the US will continue to maintain troops in Iraq with the capability of launching strikes into Syria, a US withdrawal of ground forces would fulfill a major goal of Syria, Iran and Russia and risks diminishing US influence in the region.
The US has about 2,000 troops on the ground in the country, where they are primarily training local forces to combat ISIS. The US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have had some recent success against the terror group and are on the cusp of capturing the last major town held by ISIS east of the Euphrates….
Uriah Sheep says
I wonder if he needs these troops for something back home…?
Indiana Tom says
I think the real threat is on our borders, more so than in Syria.
vlparker says
The real threat is in Congress, on school and county boards, in the US military, in the Deep State, in police departments, in the clergy and, of course, as you say, on our borders. They have all been infiltrated by muslim supremacists and Islamic sympathizers and are in the process of destroying us from within. That is where we need to focus, but none of the RINOs in Washington have the guts to say so.
It is insanity to involve ourselves in Islamic civil wars. Let them solve their own problems.
Jim Hane says
Political correctness is the greatest danger to America.
christianblood says
500 million dollars on four or five terrorists:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwxmjs0TKkI
gravenimage says
You’d think that christianblood would be happy to see the US pulling out of Syria–but all he can do is hate America.
Avenger says
John McCain must be writhing in his grave. Oh yeah.
christianblood says
Avenger posted
(…John McCain must be writhing in his grave…)
You are right! He was a neocon war-monger he even met with Abubakar al-Bagdadi (ISIS leader) and other jihadist leaders when he illegally traveled to Syria a few years ago! See it below:
https://www.globalresearch.ca/did-john-mccain-meet-with-abu-bakral-baghdadi-the-alleged-head-of-the-islamic-state-isis-isil-daesh/5498177
gravenimage says
Why is christianblood repeating this discredited bs? Wait…that doesn’t really need an answer…
Indiana Tom says
The real threat is in Congress, on school and county boards, in the US military, in the Deep State, in police departments, in the clergy and, of course, as you say, on our borders. They have all been infiltrated by muslim supremacists
I think they have been infiltrated by anti-American Fascists and Communists and the NWO.
762x51FMJ says
Slowly the Middle East will shrink back to a secular place like before the Arab spring..
The entire Middle East opened up when a jack ass named Obama popped out of his box.
mortimer says
ISIS will come back unless the US can implement ideological warfare that will turn Muslims against terrorism and eventually make them critical against Islam itself. The terrorists themselves are actually turning a lot of Muslims off Islam. But we can turn more off if we all support counterjihad. The ex-Muslims will eventually help more and more to leave.
That is the optimum solution to Islam.
Rarely says
Have you ever seen an elephant fly?
Vlad says
Only Jumbo in a Disney movie 🙂 I don’t think he was real 🙂
Why did the Western Nations, that had jihadi ass holes leaving their Nation to cut people’s heads off, why did they let them return??????
To not let them return into their Country would have been a NO-BRAINER.
Ahh, I just said it, our Politicians are a BRAIN-LESS bunch of Idiots.
gravenimage says
Which Muslims are leaving Islam because of Jihad? There may be a few, but many more are increasingly avid, because they know that violent Jihad is a core part of their faith,
And you have never said, in any case, why pious Muslims are apt to listen to the ‘filthy Infidels’, when they are taught to hate and despise them and regard them as enemies of Islam.
Gail Griffin says
Yes there is an article today in Brietbart on a study of more EU and British moslems going radical. Even 4th genaration.
gravenimage says
Yes–because this “radicalism” is just mainstream Islam.
vlparker says
Fantasy. Utter fantasy.
Joe Felon says
Those who leave Islam do so for personal reasons which make them realize the true nature of that barbaric and regressive “faith”. The reality is that a vast majority of Muslims believe there is justification for terrorist violence. Furthermore, so-called moderate Muslims never issue statements of condemnation following Islamic terrorist attacks. Terrorism plays virtually no role in the decision for the few who leave that “religion”.
Avenger says
No prior proof, examples or evidence that this could ever occur Mortimer.
J D S says
Personally I don’t think the U.S should have fighters on the ground anywhere in the world unless we are being attacked..Pearl Harbor… One could say how bout 9/11? That was not a nation attacking us but a so called religion and ideology that attacked us….and
That said..then there is the problem with a nation or group of nations that WANT to physically attack us but don’t have the means for a full frontal attack on the U.S….So they use other means …like Islam is doing..Now Islam isn’t a nation..they would like to be ONE nation but that’s nearly if not completely impossible because of their differences.
So here we are with troops on foreign soil not actually defending us from an Attack but maybe trying go thwart one..Again from what?…there are no armies attacking on our soil..though again I say they would like to but for lack of might they can’t but even though they are not organized they are in one form or another ATTACKING us.
Our wars on foreign soil even without a declared war is costing us billions dollars Muslims just being in America are costing us billions of dollars. From 9/11 forward just think of the billions of dollars Maybe even trillions in just protection alone and..FROM WHAT ARMY that is on our soil? From the unseen Islamic Army! Well to some they are not unseen…How about all those families who have lost loved ones to this “unseen” ISLAMIC ARMY of terrorist..so called Lone Wolves etc.
Until the powers that be come to the understanding that we are at war with Islam quit this pussyfooting around and start getting serious, stop this political correctness, and realize that Islamist are using our religious freedoms against us and make laws to adjust this, then we will continue to slide into the EUROPEAN SYNDROME.
somehistory says
Ezekiel says that the forces of “gog of magog” will attack Israel when they see that Israel is “without wall.”
(chapter 38)
One of the names of the “horde from the North” is “Persia”…today a.k.a. Iran.
Could this “withdrawal” leave Israel “without a wall.”?
Ezekiel 38: 11
“And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates (King James),”
“You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars (NIV).”.
Time will tell if this is the case. If so, Ezekiel also tells how it will end and Who will be the victor.
Ned says
Does there have to be a “peace agreement” in place and then the convergence on Israel?
Merry Christmas!
somehistory says
Ezekiel does not indicate that there is a “peace agreement” …the nations that satan has gathered together to go against Israel see the peace and security of Israel, see there is no wall to prevent them from attacking, and they go in “to plunder and to get much spoil.”
somehistory says
Thank you. I hope yours is safe from the moslim violence and terror.
PRCS says
This site is titled Jihad Watch.
It is NOT a come to Jesus site.
People of all faiths–and none–are concerned about Islam and jihad and post here.
How many of us do you want to alienate with your proselytizing?
Kay says
I think somehistory is merely wondering if something he has read might be coming to pass. If Ezekiel doesn’t concern you, don’t worry about it.
Most of us aren’t thinking about Ezekiel. Most all here (except those who post merely to sow conflict) are concerned about jihad and realize our own faith backgrounds differ. We accept each other.
PRCS says
Ezekiel doesn’t bother me. Proselytizing does. Without regard to the faith. Plenty of other sites for that.
Walter Sieruk says
On the date of 9/25/ 18 President Trump during a speech declared “ISIS has been driven out of Iraq and Syria.” This is both a truth and a triumph .so far so good. This is actually very good.
Likewise, the scholar and author, Robert Spencer, in his latest book which has the title of THE HISTORY OF JIHAD FROM MUHAMMAD TO ISIS . For on page it reads “When Donald Trump replaced Barack as president of the United States, Iraqi forces and other began rolling up the Islamic State strongholds, such that within a year of the beginning of the Trump Presidency, the Islamic State had lost nine-eight of its territory.”
in addition , it should be known that Donald Trump has the wisdom to know that The way to defeat those cruel, vicious, malicious and murderous jihadist thugs who compose the brutal and deadly jihad entity ISIS is by the use of many very strong powers of militant might. That is hit them hard, hit hem long, keep on hitting them and don’t stop hitting them. Meaning take them down, put them down, keep them down and don’t let them rise up again. As Thomas Jefferson had, so well, stated “With every barbarous people…force is law.” Furthermore, the jihadists of ISIS in their mad Islamic quest to establish a caliphate, with all the cruel, brutal and murdering violence that is part of it, will not respond the reason. For the Muslim fanatics who compose ISIS cannot understand logic, nor do they care about reason. Those jihadists of ISIS in their irrational unquestioning blind Islamic faith have and leave no room for reason. In this unreasoning blind Islamic drive the jihadist/Muslims who make up ISIS are a reminder of what Benjamin Franklin had printed in POOR RICHARD’S ALMANAC. Which is “The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.”
Rarely says
Happily, I have no idea what you are saying…again.
gravenimage says
Good post, Walter.
Guy Forester says
We need to continue to evaluate each and every troop deployment, base, and ship deployment. Putting our forces in harm’s way with no discernible end point and no realistic goal is a recipe for disaster.
You cannot force a bunch of tribal minded people to forge a national identity and become a truly self reliant and successful nation. They end up split along various lines and there is a constant battle for the King of the Poop Pile role in these mainly third world hell holes. Once the colonial establishments left these characters to themselves they reverted back to the old tribal and religious wars.
We can help those that want our help and are willing to make changes. We do not need more permanently dependent despotic banana, coffee, or coco bean republics that keep asking for more money to send out to swiss bank accounts.
Now, let us close down the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan fiascos. If they want to have diplomatic relations and have trade, fine. No more easy visas, refugees, or “students” leaning to fly.
Build that wall, secure the border, deport the illegal criminal aliens, and their little doggies, too.
ElderlyZionist says
We’re selling the Kurds to Erdogan. I always knew it would end like this. We can’t fight a war in Kurdistan with no friendly ports to draw supply from. Still, it makes me sick to see.
Erdogan will take us for everything he can get, then betray us again.
Elaine says
While all the above is true.. We have elected a very intelligent man for our President here in the U,S….
He loves these men and women that are away from home risking their lives in the hopes of protecting America and her people. And he loves this country.Whites, reds, blacks and mixed races. Color doesn’t matter to President Trump. Thank God!!! But look what these Democratic Liberal, socialist, Progressives have did are still doing here at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Calling him a racist.. They want open borders to allows these same evil minded people to come here and take over. These are the same types of people that our service men and women have fought against in other countries. Does that make sense?? …… We are in trouble here in America and only with the Conservatives and Republicans sticking with our president and supporting him verbally and anyway that needs to be, without fear can we stop this invasion. This country was founded by Godly men that came here to worship the True God. The Creator of Heaven and Earth and we have allowed these satanic worshiping people to come and take over the schools and colleges teaching our young people that we have been wrong in what we believe as a God that blesses those that prays and also for Israel and America.. While asking God for His help as we go about our daily lives.. We need to let our voices be heard and go forward without fear and demand that these that disregard God and want their gods to be taught to our young people be removed from teaching, preaching and etc’.. God is watching and He will one day open up the eastern sky and send His son Jesus, to take we that except Him as our Savior out of this tangled world. But I believe He will give us a peaceful time if we humble ourselves and pray asking for America’s forgiveness and stop these ungodly people from coming here disrupting all that we have been blessed with for all our lives… We may be the Mystery Babylon told about in the Bible…. Oh how I hope not……….. Let us come together and go before the Throne of God asking forgiveness for America’s sins and to save our country and stand up for what we believe in.. Hopefully all will chose God the Father.. ……….. This country has committed some of the worse sins in all of time. And we need to ask forgiveness and turn from our wicked ways and bring this country truly back to being a Christian Nation that it was originally founded as in the old days of Godly men and women……………….Pray for he safety of President Trump and his family. . Tell him to BUILD THAT WALL!!!! And people! VOTE FOR TRUMP AS HE WILL RUN AGAIN!!!!
Rarely says
Unless he is impeached before the next election, of course.
Mark Swan says
A President can not be removed until impeached and convicted.
The House impeaches and the Senate convicts or acquits.
To date, no President has been removed from office
by impeachment and conviction.
Two Presidents have been impeached by the House, both
were later acquitted by the Senate.
Talk of impeaching President trump started when He
got elected—it has continued ever since—all it shows
is utter contempt for the many millions of People who
elected Him rather than Mrs. Clinton.
gravenimage says
I first saw an article in New York Magazine about impeaching President Trump in January 2017–before he had even taken office.
MaryLetty says
Wonderful words.
MaryLetty says
I was referring to Elaine’s comments.
Elaine says
I think my comment was not allowed to be posted. Why????? it was asking for prayer for America, Israel and our president and much ore more…… But nothing to cause harm…… DUH!!!
somehistory says
Unless there are two posters of the same name, it was posted above.
gravenimage says
Elaine, your comment did post. You have not been censored.
I find that about half of my comments post immediately now, and half post later–it seems to be completely random, but is better than it was for a while.
Indiana Tom says
More or less.
gravenimage says
Trump orders rapid withdrawal of US troops from Syria
…………………
I guardedly consider this a positive thing–I am glad we are not staying for decades, trying to nation build in Dar-al-Islam. We defeated ISIS territorially, and are getting out.
Of course there are concerns about an ISIS comeback, as well as the status of the Kurds–but right now–cautiously–this seems like a wise move.
Indiana Tom says
. And the idea that the U.S. must forever have troops invested in areas with no end point, no plan for victory, no clear goal — that just saps the nation’s resources and produces no good result.
That is not a bug, but a feature.
gravenimage says
True, Indiana Tom.
Kepha says
One more thing that makes me warm to Trump as a president, even if his personality grates on me.
peter says
In my opinion it is Russian support for Assad that turned the corner against ISIS . Much of the credit should go to Russia in their fight against ISIS . If we had followed John Mcain &Co we would have gone gaga! Trump is really smart and he knows how to play his card . God bless America and Trump !
brane pilot says
The US has spent $3 Trillion (and counting) attempting to secure Islamist shitholes, while our southern border is wide open to infiltration by anyone from anywhere for any reason.
That is not simple incompetence. That is high Treason.
gravenimage says
Do you think that getting rid of ISIS’s territories was a good thing?
Krishna says
Best solution for Syrian civil war is partition the country
gravenimage says
Why? To further embolden Sunnis Jihadists? Not sure how that would make things better.
Indiana Tom says
They really are all make believe countries.
Kurt says
I wonder if this is a bluff from the administration to weed out more ISIS after we “leave”.
Xero_G says
Overheard recently:
“I hate everything Trump says…I love everything Trump does.”
Northern says
I can’t understand this. And Trump has just caved on the wall too. Has he gone bonkers? He will never be re-elected now.
b says
For some reason, the Democrats are really eager to mix it up with Russia, and this after the Democrats gave them our strategic Uranium reserves.
Theo Prinse says
John Bolton said in 24 september that US troops staying in Syria until Iran leaves – Defense News. I support senator Linsey Graham calls President Trump’s troop withdrawal from Syria an ‘Obama-like’ mistake. It is a huge betrayal of the courageous Kurdish male and female warriors that fought ISIS with their bare hands. Now the christians will be slaughtered by Erdogans mercenaries
Michael Casmer says
I don’t understand. I thought libtards hated war. They should be happy Trump is withdrawing troops from Syria, instead of getting us more envolved.
By the way, I understand Trump was in ROTC in college. Why would libtards hate him for being a “draft dodger”. I thought they hated the Viet Nam War?
Bill Clinton and I got our draft notices on the same day. Apritl 13, 1969. I wore the uniform. What was his excuse? He wrote a letter to his local draft board saying he hated war. Why don’t people call him a “draft dodger”.?
Kiki says
It seems kind of early to be declaring victory and pulling troops out. Yes, ISIS has been decimated and lost most of their former territory and strength…..but there are still cells and pockets that remain, and if we pull out too soon, those pockets will have more room to grow.
These terrorist jihadist groups have demonstrated an ability to bide their time then come back even stronger. They’ve demonstrated that again and again, and if we leave now, we’ll just increase the risk of ISIS carrying out more attacks both in Syria and abroad.
Many Republicans and national security advisers have spoken out about this, and I think we ought to heed their warning.
Trump is really eager to get the troops out, but if we leave too soon those troops may end up going back again once ISIS re-surges and commits global attacks, and they could be in even worse danger then than they are now.
Mark Swan says
There should be no need to discuss taking out or putting in troops.
We should never have sent our armed forces into the Middle East.
Iraq’s leadership was vicious, but it cost us little in comparison and
helped keep Iran in check.
The present leadership is every bit as vicious and portends a nightmare
in the future.
Afghanistan could have been handled very differently as well, invading,
occupying and rebuilding should never have been options to get Al-Qaeda.
We crush their leadership and invade, occupy and try to rebuild both times.
That is about as far off course as we could have gotten and in plain view
of the entire World.
Yes we made critical mistakes, so that, we have lost what little
international respect we had and wearied alliances, by such actions.
I am certain many will disagree and the reasons for it will be many.
We must admit mistakes, we can not mend if we do not admit folly.
We need to mend so much, now.
Kiki says
I get what you’re saying, but there won’t be any mending if ISIS regains a foothold. Don’t forget, if ISIS comes back in Syria, its effect won’t just be felt there. Their return would inspire more terror attacks abroad. They’ll see the pull-out as a chance to regain ground.
I don’t like the idea of our troops having to be there either. And you’re right about tons of mistakes having been made with our policy there. But pulling out so quickly won’t fix anything. It creates even worse problems than the problems already there.
If our airstrikes and military involvement just stops, I have no doubt ISIS will take advantage of it. And if not them, Assad or Iran or Putin will. This pull-out will be seen as an act of weakness and a betrayal of our allies, and that will likely embolden our enemies.
I really hope I’m wrong about all this, I hope everything goes smoothly….but there are so many security problems with this pull-out, people like Putin and jihadists are going to pounce on them.
Even many of the president’s advisers and national security/foreign security are denouncing it.
Mark Swan says
Kiki,
All any of us can do is base our opinions on what is already clear.
From what is now known, the pull-out is just from Syria, there are
still military personnel in the region.
Yes it does seem to be a damned if you do, or damned if you do not—
many experts were available when we made many wrong decisions,
some were for it others were not.
If you are talking Muslim Allies in the region—any wind can blow
them in any direction, whether they are supposed to be for or against
any efforts, there is no counting on them for consistency.
The Sunni are not going away in Iraq nor Syria, so if Russia and Iran
or whoever, thinks anything short of allowing them their perspective
Countries back will satisfy them, this is mistaken—whether they
are called ISIS or what ever name their strongest movement uses,
we will here more on them soon enough.
Strongman leadership is what it takes in that part of the World—
it will take place with or without our intervention—it should be
left to those who live their—no other Country has a right nor need,
to interfere—what we have done there is interfere to the limits and
then some.
After the crippling cost in lives and immeasurable suffering, all the
resources wasted and all the mind-bending ramifications of these
invasions—the United States and her allies have largely pulled
back from the region.
Little-noticed, amid the military escalation, is that the U.S.
has abandoned its decades-old “two front” strategy, in which
the nation kept itself prepared to fight, for example, a war in
the Mediterranean at the same time as another war in the Pacific.
This strategic change may portend real change in the not-too-
distant future, as the U.S. Pulls back further in Asia, Europe
and the Middle East.
Other players can and just might have a go in these realms.
Thank you for you very considerate reply—take care.
UltraMihai says
Another ally of USA betrayed to their fate and left to suffer and die, after uavibg done your bidding. So what else is new?!
gravenimage says
Is “UltraMihai” claiming that anyone who opposed ISIS was only “uavibg done your bidding”?
David Thompson says
I imagine now the ISIS threat in Syria has gone the Syrian refugees will be returning home.
gravenimage says
If only…