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Title: Trump’s First Big Mistake
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URL Source: http://original.antiwar.com/justin/ ... 1/26/trumps-first-big-mistake/
Published: Jan 27, 2017
Author: Justin Raimondo
Post Date: 2017-01-27 08:37:02 by Ada
Keywords: None
Views: 335
Comments: 31
Syrian “safe zones”: a disaster waiting to happen The text of a draft executive order on “Protecting the Nation From Terrorist Attacks From Foreign Nationals,” expected to be signed by President Trump, which deals primarily with excluding citizens of selected countries from entering the United States, includes what may be the biggest mistake the newly elected President will ever make: “Sec. 6. Establishment of Safe Zones to Protect Vulnerable Syrian Populations. Pursuant to the cessation of refugee processing for Syrian nationals, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, is directed within 90 days of the date of this order to produce a plan to provide safe areas in Syria and in the surrounding region in which Syrian nationals displaced from their homeland can await firm settlement, such as repatriation or potential third-country resettlement.” As of this writing, such an order has not been signed by the President, but Trump told reporters "I’ll absolutely do safe zones in Syria for the people.” This idea is a disaster waiting to happen, and could augur the unraveling of the President’s “America First” foreign policy, which supposedly abjures regime change operations in the Middle East and elsewhere. In 2013 testimony submitted to Congress by then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey, the reality of what this would have to mean was outlined: “Thousands of U.S. ground forces would be needed, even if positioned outside Syria, to support those physically defending the zones. A limited no-fly zone coupled with US ground forces would push the costs over one billion dollars per month.” John Kerry, citing Department of Defense estimates, testified that “safe zones” would require up to 30,000 troops on the ground. This wacky idea is something Trump floated during the campaign, when he averred that he would create a “big beautiful safe zone” in war-torn Syria. Vice President Pence also endorsed the idea in his debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine. And the neoconservative faction of the GOP – which bitterly opposed Trump during the campaign, and continues to do so to this day – issued one of their frequent “open letters” demanding the establishment of a safe zone in conjunction with increased support for the “moderate” Islamist rebel campaign to overthrow the regime of Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad. A viable space for such a zone is the area currently controlled by the Islamist rebels: the towns of Jarablus and Azaz and surrounding area, next to the Turkish border. Establishing a “safe zone” here would, in effect, carve out a mini-state under the control of Islamists, most of whom are indistinguishable from al-Qaeda and ISIS. The Trump administration, which makes a fetish out of denouncing “radical Islamic terrorism,” would wind up protecting and aiding them under the guise of “humanitarianism.” With thousands of American troops guarding this Islamist enclave, the US would inevitably be drawn into Syria’s civil war. And of course this plan would run into opposition from the Syrian government, which is presently fighting the rebels in conjunction with their Russian allies. It would only be a matter of time before US troops and Syrian forces collided. The Russians, for their part, are already signaling their displeasure, and it is bound to interfere with the Trump administration’s stated desire for a rapprochement with Moscow. While Qatar, which backs the Islamist rebels, welcomed this new development, the rebels were cautious: “We’ve seen no result on the ground from (U.S.) statements that were made six years ago. So therefore we await action before anything else," said rebel commander Fares al-Bayoush. Mr. Bayoush is affiliated with the “Free Idlib Army,” a merger of three rebel factions: Bayoush’s group has a working alliance – the “Army of Conquest” — with the al-Qaeda franchises in Syria, including Ahrar al-Sham and the Nusra Front (renamed Jabhat Fateh al-Sham). The rebels direct their main fire at Syrian government forces, while mostly ignoring ISIS unless directly attacked. Another area where a “safe zone” might be established is in southwestern Syria, where the so-called “Southern Front” forces are in control. The Front is a vague alliance of dozens of rebel factions, including extremists: the latter are now involved in an effort to oust the more “moderate” elements – although, in Syria, “moderation” is a relative concept. The Front is backed by the US, Jordan, Israel, the Saudis, and the small Gulf states. The lobbying effort to suck the Trump administration into supporting the Southern Front rebels is already in full swing. The creation of “safe zones” under US protection, no matter where they are located, would provide these terrorist outfits with a recruiting ground and a safe haven: it would be a situation very similar to the “refugee camps” in Lebanon that were turned into a playground for the various violent Palestinian factions that launched attacks far and wide. In short, these“safe zones” would become giant boils on the body politic of Syria, infecting the entire region with the poison of radical Islamism – the very ideology the Trump administration is supposedly pledged to “eradicate.” This is utter madness. In an interview during the presidential campaign with Fox’s Bill O’Reilly, Trump had the following exchange: “O’Reilly: Once Putin gets in and fights ISIS on behalf of Assad, Putin runs Syria. He owns it. He’ll never get out, never. “Trump: “Alright, okay, fine. I mean, you know, we can be in Syria. Do you want to run Syria? Do you want to own Syria? I want to rebuild our country.” Trump’s reluctance to get involved in yet another foreign quagmire was the basis for much of his support. So now it’s time for his supporters to ask President Trump: “Do you want to own Syria?” It’s not too late for this nonsense to be stopped. The draft executive order cited above only states that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis will be directed to come up with a plan: it’s possible that the President could take one look at the plan, realize that it involves a major combat operation, and decide to nix it. We can only hope. But, wait, we can do more than that. We can call the White House and our local representatives and tell them that we don’t want to own Syria, that we oppose US intervention in Syria’s civil war, and that it’s time for Trump to keep his campaign promise to put America – not Syria – first. If this crazy plan gets the green light, I can guarantee you that Trump will live to regret it. But by then it will be too late to backtrack. As recent history teaches us, it’s much easier to get involved in a quagmire than it is to get out.
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#1. To: Ada (#0)
Blow back is a bitch
He's been making a few mistakes. Let's hope he corrects.
care to enumerate?
Executive order end runs around due process. "Safe zones" in Syria as per Raimondo's piece, prohibiting legal immigrants from entering the country and giving the military carte blanch on military spending. See Jack Perry's comment below re Trump's executive order on strengthening the military. Jack Perry: I Can’t Support Trump I’ve tried to give Trump the benefit of the doubt and have applauded some of his actions. However, I can’t do that anymore. What I’m seeing is the same thing I couldn’t abide about Obama: The executive order dictatorship. We have invested the president with the power of passing policy without the proper actions of Congress and Senate. Mark my words, this is going to bite all of us. What, he sends an executive order telling SecDef to hand him the wish list of military spending? Ships, planes, and other weapons they want? Oh, I’m sure this is going to cost us, too. Sorry, readers, I cannot support this man in good conscience. I am seeing the same executive order end-runs around due process of law that Obama did. Again, we are headed into tyranny with this. One man is not supposed to have this kind of power. I didn’t agree with Obama doing it and I’m darn sure not going to be a hypocrite and support Trump doing it, no matter what reasons are given. So, that said, I cannot support this man. What he’s doing is not right
The President has unlimited power to prohibit entry of non-citizens. Period. He can changed the rules/law of terms of entry at any time, for any reason. Period. The rest of the planet is not entitled to immigrate into America. Period. I hope President Trump asks the Senate to impeach and remove the federal judges who are attempting to overrule his EO's.
#2. To: Darkwing (#1)
#3. To: Ada (#2)
He's been making a few mistakes. Let's hope he corrects.
#4. To: Cynicom (#3)
care to enumerate?
Jack Perry
#5. To: Ada (#4)
prohibiting legal immigrants from entering the country
-Alex Kurtagic
#6. To: X-15 (#5)
Rules are rules. Prohibiting legal immigrants is a cheap shot when we have so many illegals. I would have no problem with reducing or eliminating all immigration starting now, but these green card holders had been authorized.
#7. To: Ada (#6)
The president can rip up those green cards. Too bad for the green card holders, they are not citizens. The security of America comes before non-citizens' green cards. I hope President Trump blows up the entire immigration system and royally fucks over all the non-citizens up to the point of forcibly evicting H1-B visa holders.
-Alex Kurtagic
#8. To: X-15 (#7)
Green card holders are not a threat to U.S. citizens nor are they welfare leeches AFAIK. Any one who expects to live off the welfare system is not granted a green card. Maybe requirements for legal immigration should be changed but that should be done by an Act of Congress and not Executive Order.
#9. To: Ada, Cynicom, Darkwing (#4)
-Alex Kurtagic
#10. To: X-15 (#9)
That's an Executive Order and, as such, should be abolished.
#11. To: Ada (#10)
I believe that's law and not an EO.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#12. To: Ada, X-15 (#8)
Take a casual look at map of US past election. One would gather AMERICANS voted for change. Maybe requirements for legal immigration should be changed but that should be done by an Act of Congress and not Executive Order.
#13. To: Lod (#11)
EOs are law if they are not challenged by Congress. I believe that's law and not an EO.
#14. To: Cynicom (#12)
American citizens still do not control Congress which is controlled by corporations. Corporations have always favored cheap immigrant labor. One would gather AMERICANS voted for change.
#15. To: Ada, X-15, All (#6)
Ada, you probably don't realize the sheer number of illegals and asylum seekers that the previous resident in the White House has allowed - has encouraged - to stream into the country from said seven nations now under immigration restriction the last couple of years. NGO's and churches are bringing them in by the thousands and settling them - just the way it's being done in Europe - in small towns all across the country. And they're not "women and children" by and large. They are men of military age, and the number of Christians among them is miniscule. Fill in the blanks. See just what kind of game is playing out here. This is no joke. This ban is a first step in addressing clear and present danger to this republic, which elements in our government seek to destroy. This is not a time for snowflake sentiment. This is a time to focus on the peril before us. Check this out. Where are these guys headed? Perhaps to a neighborhood near you?? "1000s of Male African Immigrants appear in Mexico, crossing US Border"
#16. To: Cynicom, Ada, X-15, Lod, All (#12)
Change you that should scare the crap out of you if you've got your head screwed on. Here's some more to chew on from south of the border. One would gather AMERICANS voted for change.
#17. To: Ada (#13)
U.S. Code is not an EO.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#18. To: randge (#15)
The answer is lots but they are still illegal. Its illegal that's the problem and not those who follow the law and apply through proper channels. There are no jobs here for them. Only welfare; and if they don't get it, they will return from whence they came. Ada, you probably don't realize the sheer number of illegals and asylum seekers that the previous resident in the White House has allowed - has encouraged - to stream into the country from said seven nations now under immigration restriction the last couple of years
#19. To: randge, Cynicom, Ada, All (#16)
As an aside, notice that Japan Does Not have an immigration "problem", particularly a muslim problem. The police spy on the handful of muslims, their associates, and their movements within Japan.
-Alex Kurtagic
#20. To: Lod (#17)
An EO becomes part of the US Code if it is not counteracted by Congress. Executive orders follow a format and strict documentation system. Typically, the White House issues the order first, then it is published in the Federal Register, the official journal of the federal government. As a more permanent documentation, orders are also recorded under Title 3 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, which is simply a codification of the permanent rules issued by the executive branch of U.S. government. U.S. Code is not an EO.
#21. To: randge (#16)
What a great, and true, rant that was; truth is, we can't afford these government pets any more than can Mexico. We're more broke than are they.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#22. To: Lod, All (#21)
If you have a few minutes on a Sunday evening Devy Kidd is well worth listening to just to get a grip on the enormity of the problem loosed on us. @ 4:30 - Devy Kidd: "Obama said they want to resettle another 110,000 of 'em here in the United States in the coming year." Jeff Rense:"And Hillary wants to bump that by 800%." AVE RES PUBLICA AMERICA
#23. To: randge (#22)
Excellent conversation, thanks.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#24. To: Lod (#21) (Edited)
And when the holders of our short term debt sell it into the secondary market all of those chickens will come home to roost. Inflation will spiral out of control. The 21% under Carter may seem like a walk in the park. Remember one thing, Obummer has increased the national debt more than all the other presidents put together. It is now at $20 Trillion. ;) more broke than they are
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#25. To: BTP Holdings (#24)
You're right, things could get most interesting...
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#26. To: randge (#22) (Edited)
They were talking about HIV virus and how it was unleashed into subsaharan Africa to depopulate it. And then in America to get rid of the queers since they are so promiscuous. It all fits like a glove. ;)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#27. To: X-15 (#9)
Trump did the right thing. He has some good advisers. ;)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
#28. To: Lod (#23)
You are entirely welcome.
#29. To: X-15 (#7) (Edited)
I tend to overwhelmingly agree. People act like the Republic is alive still and salvageable... we are so far off course it's going to take a long series of miracles to correct it. That being said, I got wise and decided to put my faith in Christ and Christ alone.
"Define yourself as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion."—Brennan Manning
#30. To: Ada, darkwing (#4)
Jack Perry is right, but unfortunately we live in a largely demon-possessed society where much of the people's minds are filled with filth and literal diabolical rot. During the campaign, President Trump said that he could go out on to the streets of NYC and blow someone away in broad daylight and his supporters would still support him. He was 100% correct. He knows That he can do whatever he wants and his fanboys will support him with literal undying devotion. He does not respect people like that. Sorry, readers, I cannot support this man in good conscience. I am seeing the same executive order end-runs around due process of law that Obama did. Again, we are headed into tyranny with this. One man is not supposed to have this kind of power
"Even to the death fight for truth, and the LORD your God will battle for you". Sirach 4:28
#31. To: randge (#16) (Edited)
Those people are an invasion waiting to happen. ;)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
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