Fox News reports: Mitch McConnell says Trump’s Syria withdrawal is a ‘grave’ mistake
“Sadly, the recently announced pullout risks repeating the Obama administration’s reckless withdrawal from Iraq, which facilitated the rise of the Islamic State in the first place.”
(Photo: Fox News)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rebuked President Trump’s withdrawal of troops from Syria on Friday, calling it a “grave strategic mistake” in an op-ed that claimed the move had set back the U.S. fight against Islamic terrorism in the region.
“Withdrawing U.S. forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake. It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances,” McConnell, R-Ky., writes.
“Sadly, the recently announced pullout risks repeating the Obama administration’s reckless withdrawal from Iraq, which facilitated the rise of the Islamic State in the first place.”
Related: Petition - Expose Mitch McConnell As A Turtle
Trump has faced fierce bipartisan criticism for his decision to move U.S. forces from northern Syria, effectively abandoning Kurdish fighters who have long been allied with the U.S. and subsequently clearing the way for an invasion by Turkey.
In his op-ed, McConnell warns against America abandoning the “mantle of global leadership.”
“If we abandon that mantle today, we can be sure that a new world order will be made — and not on terms favorable to us,” he said, an apparent reference to fears that Russia will use the U.S. withdrawal to strengthen its foothold in the Middle East.
He urges the president to keep a “limited military presence” in Syria, as well as maintaining U.S. presence in both Iraq and Afghanistan, before taking a shot at President Trump’s comments about ending “endless wars” by arguing that wars do not end, but are only won or lost.
“America’s wars will be “endless” only if America refuses to win them,” he writes.
Right, because Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria are such winnable conflicts.
Wars do end; despite neocons and chicken hawks claims to the contrary. The war in Syria is over for the US. A war we should never have been involved in from the start.
That leaves Afghanistan and Iraq. Which have gone on for far longer, and will never be won either.
I don't care how much they bitch, whine, and moan. It is not their asses on the front lines. They just rake in the money from these never ending wars.
Yes-- and yet the Uber-neocon Trump is no better than past presidents-- he steadfastly refuses to have us get out of Afghanistan.
Fuck Mitch and his bullshit gaslighting.
Bush signed off on leaving Iraq because he couldn't negotiate an agreement to protect our troops from prosecution. We either left or allowed our troops to be under Iraq's legal jurisdiction.
Even when he FINALLY finds the balls to criticize Trump, he can't manage it without talking shit about Obama.
FAIL.
Well when you are wrong, you are very wrong. Bush signed the SOFA agreement; but neither nor Obama could renegotiate it. Obama offered to leave as many troops in Iraq for as long as the Iraqi's wanted. You seem to be leaving that very important point. The Iraqis rejected the offer; and wouldn't budge on the US troops would be subjected to Iraqi law part.
You are also leaving out the Democrats were dead set on the troops staying.
Really neither Bush Jr, nor Obama, are to blame for withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. That is all on the Iraqi government.
You can blame Bush Jr for the initial Iraqi invasion and removal of Saddam. You can blame Obama for reinserting US troops back into Iraq to save an Iraqi government loyal to Iran from ISIS/ISIL.
As for Syria. That is all fucking Obama no matter how you slice it. Obama entered Syria illegally. No NATO to back him up, no UN Security Council Resolution to protect US troops. Obama entered under the guise of the "War on Terror" but stated repeatedly the ultimate goal was to remove Assad. A major fuck up that opened the door for Syria to invite Russia, China, and Iran in. Russia gained a key port, military base, and air fields in Syria.
ISIS/ISIL is no longer a military force in Syria. The Syrians have called the US bluff on it and have asked US, French, and Turkish forces to leave the country.
Trump has been calling for troops to be removed from Syria for the past two years.The military generals, intelligence agencies, and our "allies" were just too damn stupid to listen.
Of course our "allies" said the US would have to pay for their increased troop presence. ISIS/ISIL terrorists in Syria are far more of a threat to Europe than the US. Why the fuck are we wasting money, resources, and lives protecting Europe's sorry asses? They have advanced military and can damn well protect themselves.
Please stop crying a river over the poor Kurds. They got over the US leaving really damn quick. They joined the Syrian government like they should have done from the start; except Obama gave them false hope that Assad would be removed. Who else were they going to join? The Turkish backed radical Islamist rebels? How about those so called "moderate" Islamist rebels? Nope, both of those groups can't stand the Kurds and have attacked them. That leaves Assad. The damn civil war might have been over years ago if not for Obama's fuck up.
As for ISIS/ISIL they are now the Syrians, Kurds, Russian, and Iranians problem. I am sure they will deal with them once Turkey and their radical Islamist rebels are dealt with.
The SOFA was ALREADY negotiated by Bush and he and the Iraqis signed it.
I didn't leave anything out, you merely restated what I said. Well done.
GREAT, we agree, McConnell is full of shit.
Prove that bullshit.
Delusional.
Oh so now you're claiming that the Syrian government booted the US? The Syrians aren't asking the Turks to do a fucking thing right now.
You're comments are devolving deeper into delusion.
Well its pretty obvious that he has no idea at all re: what's going on in the Middle East!
Amazing. All of these 'politicians' are angry the Trump abandoned another ally.
Why? They let him do it. If these dudes were real politicians ( which they aren't ) they would have rushed the WH, dragged him out of his chair and thrown him in lock-up.
McConnell. He's banking on the Russian oligarch to bankroll the Kentucky Aluminum plant.
Hell. McConnell must be happy the US military are being used as mercenaries for The House of Saud. What's to worry?
Get a life McConnell. Concentrate on those anti-birth control judges. What you want ain't it?
McConnell is a verifiable "Turtle Person"- - and must be stopped!
I suspect he, McConnell, has some dirty Russian money sticking to him. Others too. Remember Rohrabacher, ex-GOP Calif. congressman? His time 'in the barrel' is coming. And there are others.
Lev and Igor. You know of whom I speak. Bizarre. Foreign money into GOP.