For those of you who have lost track of what’s going on in Syria, the Russians are supporting the Assad government (the official, internationally recognized government of Syria) and we’re supporting the “moderate rebels” (which translates into Al Qaeda) which the Russians correctly say is illegal. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are supporting Al Qaeda. Now the French are attacking DAESH. Meanwhile, the Assad government is fighting the “moderate rebels”, Al Qaeda, and DAESH. Is all that straight now?
Scorecards, get your scorecards here! You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.
Nice dark humor.
I don’t know, our Syria policy is so screwed up and it seems so obvious to me that I just don’t know what to think anymore. I read the Politico piece by the Presidents former adviser you linked a few post ago and that guy doesn’t have a clue. It’s just shocking how ignorant so many people in positions of authority actually are. I mean, if you’re advising the President and you don’t understand the fundamental nature of war and warfare and the difference between the two, then I just give up.
And then there are the op-eds about what Putin’s strategy is in Syria, as if it wasn’t obvious, consistent and predictable.
After 25 years of military intervention in the ME, you’d think people would learn.
Sorry, rant over…
Col. Lang has a good post on the White House confusion. It is really nothing more than snark, but the confusion is mind boggling.
“Obama seeks clarity on Syria…” Washpost
One of the comments includes a link to a Time article which discusses Putin’s position and how he got there. I will add it in the next comment. (It is a short article.) It starts two years ago, and it touches the recent moves to secure the UN outcome he wants.
How Vladimir Putin Set the Stage for His Talks With Obama on Syria
Ugh. I think Lang was taking it easy on the Administration. The quote from Kerry in the WaPo piece was the worst.
Goddamn, they’re just figuring this out? And “or whatever”? From the nation’s chief diplomat? Kerry sounds like he’s spending too much time with middle school girls.
…and, did anyone catch Putin’s softer BS in his UN speech today? He seems to be taking a ME leadership role, while patting Obama on the head and telling him to get along or go away.