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The Syria and Turkey Mess I just came across this and it made my day. One president. Not a ruling class. Well, there's this, too. Watching the Neocons and other anti-Trumpers melt down is lots of fun. On another OL thread where President Trump's current change in Syrian policy is being discussed, I recently wrote this. Let's see how things develop. I expect discussion and trade with the threat of guns will speak louder than guns and crony profits to resolve this thing. For example, President Trump first announced the carrot saying US troops are getting out of Syria, then the stick: Trump Threatens to ‘Destroy’ Turkey’s Economy if It Does Anything ‘Off Limits’ in Syria Wanna bet there's a lot of trade deals being made as this thing unfolds? You know, the kind where the citizens of each country prosper, not just the industrial military complex cronies. And nobody gets shot or blown up so someone else can increase their income. Michael

I should have perhaps posted this in the Mideast forum, but Jerry has thoroughly polluted that thread with Garbage File level bullshit. Islam Rape Invasion Europe Box Cars. No thanks. Trump has been pretty clear about Syria and its travails. He prefers the strong leader, even if that means a strongman or dictator. He is more revolted by Saudi Arabia than by Assad. He will reject any 'refugees' from Syria. He likes a leadership role. He'd like to take Putin under his wing. He'd like to shake up the board. But mainly he is centred on America first. So, I bet Syria is just left to fester in terms of Russian-US sponsored Final Agreement kinds of peace accords, which would make Trump a hero in the history books. I think, cynically, that the Russians and Trump will agree a timetable, like ... let it run for two, three four years until it can be wound down and peace imposed by Russo-Yank might. Anyway, those cynical and pessimistic notes aside, the reaction among "certain people" is predictably sad and groaning and fearful. The article I highlight is just one example of the spread of opinions that you can find on the topic today. It makes me sad and fearful for Syria. The spirit of vengeance and annihilation among the Assadists is fearsome in places. The undercurrent of agreement across the spread is that Trump will mean an escalation of war. A bigger, badder storm before the calm. What does a President Trump mean for Syria? Published November 9th, 2016 - 13:22 GMT With Trump’s vocal support of Assad, and his tight-knit relationship with Russia, political analysts have predicted the end to US support for rebel groups in Syria, and perhaps a new US ally in the shape of Assad. And it’s not just the analysts who think so, with Assad supporters taking to Twitter to praise Trump’s win as a victory for the regime and Syria: The close relationship of Trump(US) with Putin(Russia), will be positive as it will end the kids gaming of continue conflicts, especially in Syria. They agree here Since Trump won. Enemies of Assad take my advice Apologize for Assad before he takes his revenge

CVN-75 Harry Truman battle group about a week away from arriving at Syrian coast. Add French carrier Charles de Gaulle with orders to wage war. Add Israeli commandos and submarines to that mix. Add Turkish air force and troops protecting ISIS, attacking Kurds. Add Hezbollah. Goodwill is off the table, not future news. Russia is there to defend Assad. How strong? -- Ted Koppel in his just-released book Lights Out estimates a $2 billion ISIS bankroll from oil sales and theft of antiquities, plenty of cash to outsource world-class hackers to crash the U.S. national power grid. To complicate matters, the Pentagon has been lying to Obama and Congress for over a year.