Socialist militants are simply not a good long term investment.
"The PKK's ideology was originally a fusion of revolutionary socialism and Kurdish nationalism, seeking the foundation of an independent, socialist state in the region, which was to be known as Kurdistan. The initial reason given by the PKK for this was the oppression of Kurds in Turkey." ~Wiki~
If there was ever an ally we should support it is the Kurds. There incredible bravery & values did more to defeat ISIS than any other nation or interest group. Who can forget the recent slaughter of the innocent Yazidis Christians in northern Iraq by ISIS; it was only the Kurds who came to the defense of the Yazidis, not because they share a religion, they don’t, but because of their humanity. It’s time the US repays a true ally who has protected our interests and shares our values. Washington needs to stand up for the Kurds against the Erdogan dictatorship and insist on a Kurdish homeland.
7
The sensible thing for the US to do here if it were acting in it's own interests would be to back the Kurds unequivocally. Sending US jets to strafe Turkish tank columns would send a clear message to the Turks that they are out of bounds.
The reason that the US is not acting in it's own interest and that there is a split between the White House and the Pentagon is because there are two different agendas in play. The Pentagon is acting in the interests of the US in eliminating ISIS while the White House is acting according to the advice of Jared Kushner and Henry Kissinger who are in turn taking their cue from the right wing Israeli lobby.
The right wing Israeli lobby are following the dictates of their white paper that mandates the creation of an arc of small warring states in the middle east that Israel can control. It follows from this that the Kurds will not be allowed their own state but that the American troops will remain in the region to stop any chance of the situation stabilising in the form of independent countries that Israel will not be able to manipulate.
What the Turks are doing is to use their appreciation of this fact to squeeze the Kurds for as long as the Israelis allow it. Meanwhile the Russians and Iran wait to see how things unfold so they can take advantage of the situation once the Kurds are weakened sufficiently to allow reoccupation of the Kurdish territories in Iraq by the Baghdad govt and the reoccupation by Assad of land held by Syrian Kurds.
1
The military industrial complex is smiling right now they are funding both sides of war.
4
We cannot betray the Kurds again and have a repeat of the Armenian genocide. What Trump is doing is unconscionable.
5
Trump taking orders from Putin?
2
Article understates this is a big mess! Utter lack of coordination at the highest levels on an important issue of national security! Our "strong" president in action.
5
I would expect nothing less from Cadet Bone Spurs, that a complete betrayal of the Kurds on the Syria attack, and Turkish militias. After all, Assad and Erdogan are simply trump, in a different form.
Slimy serpents, slithering around, doing anything they choose for their own personal gain. Soon this game, too , will be over. Here's what should be said, and what I do say:
Dear Kurdistan,
This American is with you always! We will come to your assistance, NOW! God Bless Kurdistan, its survival, and all its people!!
trump has no backbone or vision, not beyond the tip of his own.... ego.
5
"...a plan by the American military to create a Kurdish-led force in northeastern Syria, which Turkey has vehemently opposed."
what would ankara say about a turkish-led force in idlib, a province which is still being attacked by damascus? as far as i understand, idlib residents are mostly sunni muslims, like kurdish groups, but are mostly arab and turkmen ethnicities. maybe this force could establish a refuge for refugees to promote regional stability.
what would tehran say about a turkish-led force in idlib?
Trump siding with a despotic strongman over freedom fighters who stood with us against ISIS?
Trump, the transactional president, has shown once more that he has no underlying beliefs, sense of what's morally right, or commitment to those who ally themselves with us.
And this is a surprise how?
3
NO! The Kurds have earned our support over and over again.
4
Trump and Erdogan both aim to suppress the free press, Erdogan imprisons them and Trump calls them liars.
They are both examples of what a leader should not be, we can't do anything about Erdogan but we certainly can do something about Trump.
1
Trump and his incompetent staff are putting our service members in danger, trying to appease Erdogan and playing a dangerous balancing act with the Kurds. This administration is a bunch of amateurs, with an ignorant child at the top. Trump will blame Mattis if things go south because he won't take the blame for anything. And he has the nerve to wrap himself in the service flags and battle streamers every chance he gets.
3
No surprise here; don't think for a second you can believe anything Trump says, anything he promises to American allies, anything he promises to the American people? This is morally reprehensible and also ensures that no one will trust America in the future. Trump couldn't care less. Commitments mean nothing to Trump unless they are made to Vladimir Putin, Despots, or the right-wing Christian Evangelicals and the white supremacists that form his political base. Trump will sell out anyone, anytime, at the drop of a hat. This is great tragedy. The Kurds have been loyal allies to America in the Middle East, a region in which true allies are few and far between. Trump's reward to the Kurds' for their loyalty is to "ease off his support for the Kurds" and to "mollify" his middle-east counterpart, the despotic Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as satisfy his Russian buddy Vladimir Putin. In plain English it means Trump is telling Erdoğan and Putin that they can murder the Kurds and he won't say a word, let alone lift a finger.
1
A perfect example of the Trump’s philosophy of “use ’em and lose ‘em”, which he has followed all through his not so adult life with respect to business partners and women. This sort of decision is one reason why allies are hesitant to become involved in the U.S.’ military endeavors.
1
History tells us that the Kurds will always be used and then discarded. Unfortunate that their nation crosses so many borders of countries that are not inclined to allow their reunification...
2
No one knows what Trump thinks including him...however his siding with the new Dictator of Turkey, the one whose henchmen beat people up in the US, and then he broke sanctions with his illegal gold trader and he whined to get him back, including his demands to have Gulen extradited to Turkey...all add up to a person who should have lost America's support. So then why does this President curry favour with him? And as usual against US diplomats who have years of experience and now the Pentagon. Trump is the biggest loser we have ever had in office. He cannot do anything right.
2
Don"t blame Trump. The U.S. is famous for this. Not sure if it's your ally? The question answers itself.
1
Since when has Trump been loyal to anyone but himself?
1
Turkey was the entry point for up to 10,000 foreign ISIS fighters to enter Syria, so securing the border zone on the Syrian side makes sense if Turkey has failed so miserably on its side.
But the US poorly executes such support because Trump and a badly weakened State Dept have said the generals will handle it, while military really needs their political support to accomplish its missions.
The Kurds are the victims of the British French partition of the former Ottoman Empire, which failed to ensure a homeland for them. They have been out in front on the recapture of ISIS occupied cities at a terrible cost. They deserve local autonomy and a share of the regional oil revenues.
But the current US Administration is proving to be an unreliable partner throughout the Middle East, from Qatar to Iran to Syria to Israel.
Wait, I know, Jared can fix it. As his father-in-law frequently joked around the White House (according to Bannon), Jared knows half of the biggest criminals in Israel. He knows how to get things done!
14
You are probably one of the few that knows what you are talking about. You know your stuff. There are very few like you.
This is what happens when you have a President who has the mentality of a punch-drunk prizefighter. The guy can size up any issue in about one paragraph and make a swing at the boldface part...course, two days later he's swinging some other way. The sad part is: it's the rest of the world that's figuring out how to lead him into a bad corner
9
--------- credit goes to buzzy for: ...After WW1, the middle eastern borders were contrivances of France and Great Britain who many scholars think set the borders in place to encourage continuing strife in the region. When ... at each other's throats they weren't after the colonizers.
New borders should be set along ethnic/religious lines. TIme for the Kurds to have a homeland.
--------- let me repeat: time for new borders along ethnic and religious lines. it needs to be done in central europe (hungary ) too, and the balkans - maybe even the baltic states . . .
8
Yes, the strategy was divide and conquer. In Iraq, put a sunni in charge of of a shii domintated country. In Syria, put a shii in charge of a sunni dominated country. This way the leader is always dependent on the military support for the west and the west got the cheap oil for about 100 years.
Cancel all trade agreements. Deny what the world agrees are climate changes. Deport dreamers who have known no other country. Turn our backs on a key ally in the fight against ISIS. Why should anyone trust America's word?
15
Let us not forget that the dictator Erdogan who is clearly admired by Trump is not only serving Turkey's needs in attacking the Kurds but is also by extension helping to remove the enemies of Assad and Trump's allies the Russians. No doubt the Donald will not do anything that might upset his benefactor Putin. This is the love prism upon which Trump views the world.
3
It's no surprise that the President used the Kurds when he needed them and then sold them out when he decided they were expendable. That's who he is. It's shameful.
6
Why are we supporting the wretched regime of Recep Tayyip, very simple really, the irrational, stupid love of Trump for dictators of the worst kind.
5
US duplicity at its finest. Get someone else to do the dirty work and then stab them in the back. The only exception is with Israel, then we willingly sacrifice our mothers.
3
First of all, this article has nothing to do with Israel ( who, by the way, have supported the Kurds and treated thousands of wounded Syrians). More importantly, not a single AMERICAN serviceman has died fighting for Israel. I do realize that the concept of Jews successfully defending themselves is upsetting to some.
1
The Kurds have more in common with the United States than the current regime in Ankara, Damascus or Baghdad. We should double down on support not leave them hanging.
12
Turkey is not an ally. They've switched their allegiance to Putin. Time to move on. The Kurds share far more values with the US than Turkey. It's time to declare what we stand for by making clear who we stand with.
12
There is a history of the Kurds being abandoned by so called allies or "partners". This situation may be no different. The U.S. military may have some honour here but I'm sure Trump wouldn't hesitate to dump them and leave them to the mercy of the Turks who have no use for these people.
8
The Kurds played a critical role in our military campaign in Syria. We owe them our support - that's the least we can do. It's a tricky negotiation which may be beyond the ability of the Trump administration - eg. we don't have an ambassador to Turkey - kind of a big country to ignore diplomatically. But we should stand by the Kurds - they fought for us.
9
Trump should listen to the military and side with the Kurds. The Turks have already violated international law by invading the area of Syria where the Kurds live. If the Turks harm the US Military in their efforts then we should retaliate.
Also NATO needs to be stronger and more involved in this issue. Save thee Kurds!
6
If the White House and the military can't agree on something as basic on this, then get the American troops out of harm's way. Regardless of the decision made, our sons and daughters shouldn't be dodging bullets while the leaders back home quarrel. God forbid that we can't answer the simple question of "My loved one died for what reason?"
1
The west simply cannot allow the brutish and thuggish Turks under the sultan run roughshod over our longterm battle tested allies the Kurds. If ever any people deserve a place of their own, its the Kurds, they are a civilized and reliable ally in a world of turmoil that is Syria. After all of their hard work and sacrifice from men and women alike, they deserve nothing but support and praise for their steadfast loyalty to the EU and US. As Turkey spirals into anarchy and certain dictatorship, we can no longer rely on Erdogan or even Incirlik. Time to reconsider our relationship with Turkey as it heels toward Russia and Iran, certainly no friends of the west any longer.
4
Another foreign policy failure for the Trump administration. Anybody with the least bit of knowledge of the area would have known this clash was coming except the guys in White House. But what the heck. We have our massive tax cut and profits are more important than preventing pollution, so who needs competence when it comes to foreign policy. In fairness to Trump, he is no more incompetent in this arena than the last couple of guys to hold the job!
Those poor Kurds.
Is there any other group more jerked around than them?
(Okay, the Palestinians.... but MORE than those two?)
I confess - I like the Kurds.
They are the only Muslim group in the world that arms the women.
I like that.
Erdogan... not so much.
I'm still enraged - yes, enraged - that he loosed his dogs on MY soil, his thugs kicking in the heads of persons peacefully protesting in Washington, DC, last year.
I never want Erdogan back in this nation again.
Yes, I understand that he is one of trump's favorites.... but that's just because birds of a feather and all that.
The United States has been a miserable ally to the Kurds.
And am I surprised that trump is jerking them around, too?
I am not.
In fact, I was just reading trump's speech that he gave to the CIA on his first day in office and he was telling them that, gee, we really should get that oil over there, right?
Wrong.
People of Kurdistan: I apologize for the sly and ugly way that my country has treated you.
I regret that we are untrustworthy.
And I suspect that is not going to change any time soon.
".... Mr. Ford wrote, adding that some Kurdish observers were accusing America of being an unreliable ally."
Arm more women.
13
This is what happens when the Civilian leadership sub out their responsibility of governing to the war department. The war department is the cash cow for the Military Industrial Complex, and they fill politician's coiffures for politicking.
This is just the beginning and as Senator Booker in yesterday's op-ed in this paper mentioned about lack of responsibility in US Congress re the War Powers Act and other check and balance between the war mongers neocons and the Trump White House the worse is yet to come.
We may need to bring back the draft to put sanity in the US Congress and the White House.
1
If Pres. Trump doesn't forcefully stand up to Erdogan, he will be sending a signal to Erdogan he can be successfully threatened by military action. Not a good signal to send out to the rest of the international community.
18
When asked to choose sides, trump will always, always side with the dictator over the people, even if they are freedom fighters. Turkey is good at ethnic cleansing. Trump isn't killing immigrants here but he is sending them to places where death likely awaits them, a form of cleansing itself.
22
Consider this; if Russia decided to sponsor and arm and train a specific Mexican cartel on the American border; merely change its name and acronym, what would the USA do? The Turkish viewpoint is far more serious because many YPG militants are bona fide terrorist with the blood of Turkish civilians and soldiers on their hands.
What the American reader fails to recognize is that Kurdish militants in Syria are a Marxist-Lenninist organization with one overarching aim; an independent state of their own. They are parasitically feeding on USA's strategic intentions. The dissonance between the American levels of government will drag the whole region into war.
When it is convenient publications such as this refer to factions such as YPG and PKK as "kurds" and when it is not they fascinatingly return to their vilified acronyms. Turks are close pals with KRG kurds and organizations, practically bankrolling the entire infrastructure of the region.
This unfair perspective against Turkey was created by Russian spin machine after the jet inciden that Turkey ever funneled arms into ISIS hands; when the reality was that ISIS gaining American arms were CIA and Iraqi blunders.
1
Wow, the best historical revisionism I have read in years. Bravo, for the lead-in false analogy as well. Your check is in the mail with Erdogan’s signature still damp. Keep those cards and letters coming. NATO is obsolete, and Turkey run by a tyrant in my humble opinion.
6
Consider this: Erdogan becomes such a nuisance and destructive force in the Middle East that he is overthrown by his own army, for real this time, with help from the US unless he changes his tune
4
Mollify Turkey? What a disgraceful notion. On this and other evidence, it appears that the U.S. has entered a "rogue state" phase under the present administration. Authoritarianism prevails.
29
Genuine question... Is this normal?
I’m aware that there’s always tension between stated policy and reality in any administration, but the Trump White House seems to frequently say one thing while the agencies it commands do another. My feeling is that this happens far more often than in previous administrations.
I’d be very interested to see an in depth analysis of this (how often discrepancies between White House and Agency policies arise, compared with previous administrations), as well as some sort of analysis as to whether it is deliberate (say, political theater to placate allies) or leadership failure.
2
The United States can be trusted. It's Donald Trump that can't be trusted, and he should never be confused with the US. Hopefully he's gone sooner than in 3 years, but at least let's figure we won't have this mess for 7 more.
2
Ever wonder why the US. has so few friends in the world?
The Kurds are the last remnant of the pre-patriarchal world, a culture where women have real power and a lost tribe with no homeland to call their own.
If the U.S. ever wanted to prove something about what makes our values special, this would be the time.
39
Is that why they still have female genital mutilation Carl? Read more please.
I'm sure that's why Turkey hates them.
you two are so uninformed. US comes and creates a mess in Iraq that supposedly had nuclear weapons. Then they say they will control the Turkey - Syrian border with Kurds. Are you nuts? Why should Turkey let Kurds control the border. Ohhh you guys say , but but Kurds helped us so much. You know what Turks also helped you so much during the cold war. We sent and lost many soldiers in the Korean war. GO read up on history. Who created the messed up borders in the middle east? It was created by Europe and US after WWI. Things are not what they appear to be. So know your history not the last few years.
1
Kurdistan for the Kurds. Prison for Erdogan. What does America stand for? Freedom and human rights? Hah!
12
I'd like to hear from the Kurds somewhere in this article..
16
A Tweet to Trump maybe?
Institutional goodwill is over-rated.
The US government (and the colonial governments that preceded it) massacred natives, quarreled with its neighbors, imported slaves, invaded Mexico and started unnecessary wars against itself, vs Spain, vs. Germany (WWI); wiped out an eighth of the Philippine population (in concentration camps, BTW), invaded and destroyed Vietnam, invaded and destroyed Iraq (which war is still underway and spreading) invaded and destroyed Afghanistan. attacked and destroyed Libya ... destroyed parts of Syria ... why shouldn't Turkey invade Kurdish territory in a country most Americans don't care about or can find on a map?
The Turks are imitating their betters.
3
"The White House sent out a message aimed at mollifying Turkey’s president on Tuesday ..."
Last year, Trump failed to condemn a blatant attack by Trukish president's cronies on US citizens in Washington DC in broad day light. Trump, despite his powerful position, melts in presence of Turkish premier. And now this concession.
Does Turkey have salacious scoop on Trump or what?
28
US foreign policy in 2018 is the Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.
The left hand does not know or does not care what the right hand is doing. Outright contradictions are explained away as a means to reassure the confused Turks -- after all, they are free to listen to whichever competing US pronouncement they find the most favorable. The Russians must be laughing hysterically. Meanwhile Syria remains in chaos.
The common analysis is usually framed by the pretence that the US presence in Syria, no matter how confusing in its pronouncements, is nevertheless the most natural thing in the world. What is omitted is that the US presence is blatantly illegal under international law. (You know, the same kind of law which the US accuses Russia of violating in Ukraine.)
There is no UN mandate for the US to be in Syria, nor was it invited by the sovereign government of Syria. Goodness, there is not even authorization by the US Congress.
In any case what is the purpose of the US remaining in Syria after the defeat of ISIS? Why not just go home and abide by Trump's promise to cease unnecessary foreign wars?
No use bringing in Trump's promises -- they are meaningless. Trump has already given in to the war party on several occasions and this occasion will be no different.
The war party is still looking for the US to go to war against Iran, or at least to weaken and destabilize Iran as much as possible.
If Syria remains in a state of chaos, that will weaken Iran.
0124 13:25
6
Of course this is the case! Our president cannot discern his friend from foe, his countryman and ally from his enemy. He is throwing the Kurds under the bus -- literally killing them with his actions, as well as their families and their future push for a democracy. The YPG should nominate a busty, sexy woman as their leader -- this might get them somewhere with Trump.
This man is delusional and congress needs to start talking about how the timetable for impeachment will unroll in 2018. The Democrats should make it their number one collective goal for the mid-term elections.
11
It seems that in a year or two we will be kicking ourselves, as we realize that the Islamist dictator Erdogan is no better than Assad, and we will be complicit in the killing of thousands of our best friends in Syria, the Kurds.
40
If the Trump administration actually took some responsibility for policy instead of leaving it up to mid-level commanders, we wouldn’t be seeing this exercise in confusion in the news. While American policy in Syria has never been logical or inspired, Trump put the blame for that all on Obama. The irony that a man who couldn’t find Syria on a map would somehow develop a more enlightened understanding of how to finesse the situation has given way to the reality of all of Trump’s genius ideas: he couldn’t find his way out of a White House bedroom locked from the inside.
6
Once again Trump turns his ample back on our allies in favor of Earth's biggest despots. Erdogan is obsessed with the Kurds in the same way that the Burmese are obsessed with the Rohingya. The U.S. has often found itself on the wrong side of history and, under this presidency, that situation will only worsen.
32
Foreign policy decisions need to be coordinated at the state department and settled by the president, but this administration shows conflicting foreign policy stances being publicly taken at every turn. This chaos can easily make for tragedy.
8
The Kurds are our friends...when it's convenient for us.
42
It seems that the bureaucracy has discovered it can pretty much ignore Trump, and just do as it likes. And so it does.
That results in various arms of the government going off to do their own things, blundering into conflict with each other. The tendency to overdone secrecy in each one only aggravates that.
The Pentagon armed the Kurds, and not from Turkey. The CIA armed the non-Kurd forces, and from inside Turkey. Meanwhile Turkish relations were handled by State, which does not even know what the other two are doing. They all ignore Trump, and Trump is mostly oblivious to what they do.
It is not surprise then that we are stepping on our own.
30
If you recall, Trump explicitly authorized Mattis to make the military decisions.
And CIA decisions? And State Dept decisions? That was my main point. Secondary, how much do you think any of them worry about briefing Trump's fullest understanding and agreement?
Betrayed again. How will America be trusted, when we lie to people what we will do.
33
Did you read the article or are you just "roboticly" responding? Diplomatic noise is not what matters. The American military is standing by its man here.
1
The message we're sending is clear: Do not trust the United States. As soon as we're done using you, we will toss you aside. The kurds were critical in both theaters of war and defending their independence is the least we could do. They could also be an incredible ally in the long term, especially considering their comparatively liberal outlook. Turkey is not worth this.
77
Oh please. US never promised unconditional support for Kurds. We never did not should we promise them independence. It is neither our responsibility nor in our interest. In any event it is impossible.
Just the mention of support has already pushed Turkey a key ally towards Russia and Iran. In addition Turkey a NATO member has gone in full war against the Kurds. Unless we want to go to war against Turkey we better tone down the support for Kurds.
Do you want to go to war against Turkey supported by Russia? Do you want to make a Russia; Turkey; Iran alliance? That is what you are doing.
@Rob: Would you have put off going to war with Hitler for the sake of a few million Jews? When you lie down with pigs you come up smelling like garbage. War with Turkey will NOT be necessary but genocide must be resisted at all costs ad Erdogan is so obsessed with the Kurds that I wouldn't put it past him to initiate widespread annihilation.
4
The Kurds have had a close relationship with the US and the Israelis for decades. We have promised them plenty but mostly misled them into thinking we cared about their democratic, secular aspirations. Kurdish independence is entirely possible and could occur under international law -- I have no idea why you would state otherwise. A peace treaty will come in Syria someday, and it will be a multilateral treaty, and if Kurdish interests are not somehow defined, there will just be continued unrest in the region. Them's the facts.
1