[Texas Fossil]

This please me. But this is not an long term commitment.

Sounds like Russia has decided they have accomplished their purpose.

The real issue will be Turkey and Iran.

[Mariner]

The US has no interests in Syria.

None.

We expend blood and treasure for nothing.

[DoughtyOne]

Sometimes the only thing worse than U. S. involvement is no U. S. involvement.

IMO < the McCain, Clinton, Graham, Rubio, et al goal was to push through and remove Assad. That was not something I was interested in. Assad isn’t perfect, but Syria could do a heck of a lot worse.

Going after ISIS and other terrorist entities is a decent thing to do. Basically it’s the U. S. troops (in the region) we needed winding down Iraq.

I think the goals of this seem decent.

I support it.

It would be silly to pull out and let ISIS regroup.

Trump has it about right here IMO.

Let the people of Syria take care of Assad, and without game playing (I might add).

[faithhopecharity]

’ we will work...to stabilize Syria...”

well, it was Obama that destabilized Syria, massively (and imho criminally)

whether we or anyone can stabilize it now? i’m not so sure

[chemical_boy]

Turkey finished their buffer zone in Northern Syria. They are shelling the first YPG positions near the first town east of the Euphrates

http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2017/13-december-turkish-artillery-shelling-ypg-positions-in-ame

[shalom aleichem]

Is Heather crying!? Geesh. No, Syria is a sovereign country and USA has not been invited in. The going after ISIS excuse has expired. The trying to help Kurds has also expired as USA says the hell with them now that they helped us beat ISIS. Just pull the plug Don. It is not our business.

[mac_truck]

Another fine example of deep state control over United States foreign policy.

[Seruzawa]

Not a long term commitment? Horse puckey. The insidious neocan internationalists still have too much influence.

[familyop]

Good news! Iran and the government of Syria should be stopped from supporting terrorism and threatening the U.S.A.

[familyop]

Iran and its partner, the Syrian government, are also trying to hinder the peace process in Israel.

A Credible Peace Plan, at Last
Jerusalem Post ^ | December 4, 2017 | Caroline B. Glick
"...Saudi peace plan. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly presented it to PLO chief and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas last month...It reportedly proposes the establishment of limited Palestinian sovereignty over small portions of Judea and Samaria. The Gaza Strip, over which the Palestinians have had full sovereignty since Israel pulled its military forces and civilians out in 2005, would be expanded into the northern Sinai, thus providing economic and territorial viability to the envisioned Palestinian state. While the Palestinians would not receive sovereignty over Jerusalem, they would be able to establish their capital in the Jerusalem suburb of Abu Dis."

[BeauBo]

No way the Russians are totally pulling out of Syria - they went to war to preserve their access to their naval base at Tartus. I’d bet they plan to keep their new air base too.

Some specialized units (like artillery) won’t be needed when combat ops wind down, so naturally some troops will head home.

The announcement of withdrawal is for public relations, and to try to pressure/manipulate the US into a foolish withdrawal (while Iran sends their surrogates in).

[lodi90]

Sounds like Russia has decided they have accomplished their purpose.

---

This is the 3rd or 4th time Putin has declared “Mission Accomplished.” I doubt anything much changes in Syria.

[AdmSmith]

Russia has not withdrawn from Syria:
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3612581/posts

[McGruff]

Still true.

[PIF]

Heather is looking a tad pale and careworn these days.