Broken Promises

[Mike]

Here is how the Kurds feel about our withdrawal from Syria. Can't say I blame them after Trump pulled the rug out from under them.

VIDEO

[Truckman]

I suppose it could always have been worse...They could have thrown things deadlier than taters...And even worse, the decision could have been made to send in more US troops to march into harm's way instead of getting out of the line of fire to let the religious/political fanatics destroy each other...Whoever is left alive (if any) can form their own governments to suit their own needs......Ben

[wacojoe]

I suppose it could always have been worse...They could have thrown things deadlier than taters...And even worse, the decision could have been made to send in more US troops to march into harm's way instead of getting out of the line of fire to let the religious/political fanatics destroy each other...Whoever is left alive (if any) can form their own governments to suit their own needs......Ben

Bingo!

[UTAH]

I remain concerned about how the Russians will use the vacuum we created there. I don't trust Putin at all in our dealings with him. He's still a KGB loyalist inside.

Hunter

[Truckman]

I remain concerned about how the Russians will use the vacuum we created there. I don't trust Putin at all in our dealings with him. He's still a KGB loyalist inside.

Hunter

I agree on all three points, but I still recall how well their gambit in Afghanistan turned out......Ben

[wacojoe]

Our foreign policy should only be for our best interests...period. Is it in our best interests to have a continued heavy military presence in the Middle East? Before fracking...probably “yes.” Things change, shouldn’t we?

The title of this thread insinuates the U.S. promised we would protect the Kurds from what and for how long? I don’t recall that treaty or that promise. What did I miss? It was and is my belief we first partnered with the Kurds against the common enemy of Sadam & Sons, and then the caliphate. Those are defunct. We did not take the Kurds to raise. It’s a cold, cruel world.

The only consideration left with regard to the Kurds is — will we need them again and/or will our turning away keep others from partnering with us in the future? Valid concerns to be considered with a sober mind.

[Mike]

I agree with the sentiments posted above, but here is where we differ:

We made promises to help the Kurds who Turkey wants to annihilate, as does ISIS. We just walk away and leave them in the crossfire.

What does that say to our allies?

Others countries we wish to help us in other conflicts? Why would would they trust us to keep our word after the going gets tough?

Would the Brits join in our efforts to fight terrorism today if we had turned our backs after liberating France in 1944? What about all the other countries that have assisted in our fight in the Middle East?

Why would anyone come to our aid if we cannot be trusted to follow through on our commitments?

That's my problem with walking out on the Kurds. I don't care even a tiny bit about who kills who in the Middle East, it would be fine with me to wall them off and let them wipe each other out. My only problem is we reneged on a commitment and what that means for the future.