America’s withdrawal of U.S. military personnel from Northern Syria, from Turkey’s Safety Zone along its border with Syria, has sparked global outrage.
I have lamented and criticized America’s long track record of betrayal and abandonment of allies in my book Custom Maid Spin for New World Disorder. Specifically, how the first Bush administration let down the Kurds and Iraqis in 1991 when they heeded the call to rise up and overthrow Saddam Hussein that resulted in their own massacre, because they were abandoned by the U.S.
President Trump and America are accused of abandoning the Kurds. Were the Kurds abandoned or betrayed?
The U.S. military checking out and leaving the Kurds with ISIS prisoners to guard while they defend themselves against the Turks is not the smartest military strategy. Of course the Kurds are going to run for cover to avoid the Turkish bombardments — and their ISIS prisoners go free.
To make matters worse, the Kurds were forced to cut a deal with the Assad regime in Damascus to defend themselves against the Turkish onslaught. A deal brokered by Russia — with troops on the frontline and planes bombing at will from above — that has become the dominant player and broker in Syria and the region. This as Iran becomes the primary beneficiary.
Even worse! Leaving 1000 American military personnel in Syria who are now caught between advancing Syrian and Kurdish forces fronted and backed by Russia — and attacking Turks.
Oh! And let’s not forget about the 50 U.S. tactical nuclear weapons at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.
Both will probably now have to be airlifted out.
How fucked up is all that?
The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria is the right step in terminating America’s “endless wars.” But it was stupidly executed. It is a military and political strategic disaster — and betrayal of the Kurds who helped America fight Saddam in Iraq and ISIS in Iraq and Syria — not abandonment.
“I am fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey’s economy if Turkish leaders continue down this dangerous and destructive path,” Trump warned. And he has.
Turkey’s economy, ministries of defense and energy, and three senior officials have been targeted with sanctions. Negotiations on a $100 billion trade deal have stopped and the U.S. is considering to raise tariffs on Turkish steel back up to 50 percent.
The Turkish lira was the worst-performing currency last week.
Jan Dehn, head of research at EM specialist fund Ashmore Group, said investors were experiencing a “complete loss of trust in Turkey. I don’t see Erdogan changing his spots.”
Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo have been dispatched to Ankara to spell-out the consequences to Recep Tayyip Erdogan if he doesn’t change his spots.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper is going to NATO Headquarters in Brussels next week to urge member states to impose “diplomatic and economic measures” against Turkey.
Trusting Turkish President Erdogan not to slaughter Kurds, and giving him the green light to do so, is a political miscalculation that must be remedied.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Turkey will be carved and served across America.