Broken Promises

[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.

[Truckman]

My only problem is we reneged on a commitment and what that means for the future.

While it would be highly desirable to be seen as the one nation which is willing to challenge all injustices worldwide among a planet full of nations which are bound by imaginary lines on a map, and ruled by the insatiable greed for power of self-anointed politicians, I question the wisdom of being the only nation to do so...Especially so at the cost of American lives who mean nothing to those who have benefited by their sacrifice......Ben

[Mike]

Ben, again I agree that we should not have been there to begin with. That is a no-brainer to me. But, if we make a commitment we need to see it through. Otherwise, other countries which we need to assist us from time to time will be reluctant to join us in joint operations not knowing if we will stick it out.

If we are not going to finish what we started, lets not start something to begin with.

[Truckman]

Your position is understood, Mike, and I believe our goals are not that far apart...The commitment you mention also includes a commitment to those Americans we send there...If they set foot on a foreign shore with the expectation of assisting others in combat, then they should go having a clear understanding of who the enemy is, and with the means and authority to destroy that enemy at the first sign of hostility...We deploy the most technologically advanced, highly trained combat force in history and expect them to merely deliver military supplies, show others how they're used and advise them when they make a misstep?...FedEx could do that with delivery trucks full of guns, rockets and bombs with books and videos for instruction...

If such a military force as we have can't enter a hostile territory without being allowed to do what they do best, destroy an enemy, then bring them back home...It's a lesson that was bought and paid for in Korea, Southeast Asia and now the Middle East, and has yet to be learned by the politicians who get to stay home and watch the results on CNN...The only place in recent history where the concept was correctly applied was Grenada...Our office-bound elected officials could have learned something there, but failed in their duty...The thread title here of "Broken Promises" should be remembered as covering those Americans who were promised to be allowed to do the jobs for which they were trained......Ben

[Dave Grubb]

Ben, again I agree that we should not have been there to begin with. That is a no-brainer to me. But, if we make a commitment we need to see it through. Otherwise, other countries which we need to assist us from time to time will be reluctant to join us in joint operations not knowing if we will stick it out.

If we are not going to finish what we started, lets not start something to begin with.

We could not look worse to anyone---that means the entire world, than we do right now. As we continue this madness Russia is moving right in. What a friend they have in trump

There should never have been one American life wasted for this fiasco---but there were and we now turn away and dishonor them as well as those who believed in the USA.

Shame on us.

[wacojoe]

Throwing good money after bad is going to save face?