[PIF]

Why an over extended Saudi military facing off against the Turks is a win is beyond me

the Saudis are famous in Yemen for building sex-forts and not much else especially in the area of military wins. Like someone said the Turks will go through the Saudis like wind through the trees and not even notice.

The reason Mattis left is because he knows that - even though we have only a marginal national interest in the area now - in time those ME forces will once again come after the US as they did on 911. Only by being there do we keep a lid on things while making friends.

Leaving is abandoning allies to the jaws of their deadly enemies - whatever trust the US had rebuilt under DJT is now gone. Mattis likely feels that this abandonment is akin to leaving a soldier behind and it sickens him.

[rbmillerjr]

Mattis is a General with soft positions on trannies in the military and enhanced interrogation.

I lost any respect for him when he testified to Congress that enhanced interrogation was ineffective.

It directly led us to Bin Laden. And further, he knows that is the reality. So, we know even tuff labeled Marine Generals can be Democrats and be very wrong.

[Safetgiver]

Leaving is abandoning allies to the jaws of their deadly enemies -.....There are no allies, just Muslims in Syria.

[nicollo]

The reason Mattis left is because he knows that - even though we have only a marginal national interest in the area now - in time those ME forces will once again come after the US as they did on 911. Only by being there do we keep a lid on things while making friends.

GW Bush had the opportunity to remake the Mideast, but he blew it. He let the Left take over the narrative and abandoned all strategic objectives of the Iraq War, including Isreali security, Iranian and Syrian isolation.

All I can think is that Karlie Rove convinced him that the polls had turned against him over Abu Ghraib, Gitmo and Fallujah. He did show leadership with the Surge, but it was too late to settle larger issues.

In fact, it created Barack O, which led directly to the total loss of Syria and near loss of Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iraq. Had Dubya held fast, despite the Left, we would not be where we are now.

Trump is right. Either win it all or get out.