Turkey invades Syrian Kurdistan

[cc]

The PKK is listed as a terrorist group even by NATO , the EU and singly by the US



The Kurdish Path to Socialism in Syria -   The Washington Institute https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-kurdish-path-to-socialism-in-syria">https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/pol ... m-in-syria">https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-kurdish-path-to-socialism-in-syria



To maintain its dominant position and stay true to its ideological roots, the PYD is pushing socialist policies on a skeptical Rojava populace, with uncertain consequences for the future of the Syrian Kurdish zone.



In northern Syria, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) aims to promote a political and economic system based on self-sufficiency and local democracy. Yet a closer look at the measures being implemented reveals a clear effort to apply the anti-capitalist ideology of Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK). It remains unclear whether this ideology is compatible with local economic conditions, however, and Kurdish authorities might resort to full normalization with the Assad regime instead if key stakeholders resist.



...................



Bookchin's model is close to Maoism, Ocalan's principal early source of inspiration. Unsurprisingly, the PKK leader became Bookchin's ideological disciple in 2004 after reading several of his works. A year later, at the group's 2005 congress, he made "libertarian municipalism" the official PKK political ideology.



Go figure who is who and where today- it's Arabia ... Today most local Kurd areas are communes some with a smattering of control via democracy

[Anonymous]

Good to know cc. It would seem the narrative of Kurdish culture that is portrayed in the West has been embellished.

[cc]

Don't get me wrong. My first reaction was disbelief .. and I'm still confused  and disappointed .. would like more accurate insight into exactly what the Kurds are



I'm still trying to understand what happened and why and am not yet comfortable with the call ... and why such a very few US troops (a mere handful) mattered in the equation

[Anonymous]

why such a very few US troops (a mere handful) mattered in the equation

I don't get that either.

[cc]

.

[cc]

One can look at it as we should cover for an ally ... or as .. rather than do us a favor, Kurds were well paid as mercenaries for 3 years to deal with ISIS and to form their own govt that could protect itself ,,, thus no favor is owed.



Clearly they cannot stand against Turkey who wants them behind a a 20 mile safe zone along its southern border or this would not be an issue



Another motive is Turkey wants to send Syrians who fled into Turkey back to Syria ... and the Kurds are trying to rule the area and are in the way



Remember. This space was Syria before it all started

[cc]

Here's an interesting article from a highly qualified person



https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/10/missing_the_bigger_picture_in_kurdish_syria.html">https://www.americanthinker.com/images/bucket/2019-10/216560_5_.png[/img]



Also, we need to ask ourselves whether the withdrawal of a few American troops really matters in the conflict either against ISIS, and did it really grant the Turkish government the "green light" to attack "terrorist" Kurds?  Perhaps.  The Syrian civil war which led to the rise of ISIS is over and the bloody dictator in Damascus won, thanks to the Russians and Iranians.  We can blame Obama for that outcome, not Trump.  And yes, the Turks have permission from Damascus to cross into Syria and they will now consolidate a buffer zone along the Syrian border to control terrorist actions fostered by the independence-minded Kurds and allow for millions of refugees to return home.  I bet the U.S. would do the same if we had a similar problem on either of our borders with Mexico or Canada.



The pregnant question that Trump's critics don't answer is: Will ISIS return to fight another day?  Not necessarily.  Keep in mind that al Qaeda and ISIS are in many more places today than when U.S. forces first pursued them in the mountains of Afghanistan and in the northern plains of Iraq.  Also, what remains of ISIS is trapped in a small area in Syria and if they make a ruckus that can be easily handled by Turkish and Russian airstrikes, and they won't bother with concerns about collateral damage.



Another point about all the fake news about the Kurdish plight is evidence of a basic misunderstanding about the Middle East, which is locked in a constant cycle of war in part because of the English and French fools that redrew the maps after World War I.



Trump's critics can learn about Middle Eastern culture by watching Lawrence of Arabia.  Remember the first time that Lawrence goes into the desert his guide stops at some oasis.  As the guide drinks from the well, a dark figure on a camel rides fast towards them and then shoots dead Lawrence's guide. Lawrence is stunned and asks why the Arab killed the guide.  The Arab responds, "He is Hazzami. He is nothing.  He knew that he could not drink from our well."  

[[cc . This tale ^^ really puts it where it's at in the area]]



Yes, much of the region is locked in tribal wars and they don't want democracy.  Further, and in part because of those tribal wars, we do not need to stay there another day, much less a century.  Rather, let the regional players handle these problems and leave the larger security challenges like China and Russia to the United States.  



Why must America get involved in every conflict around the world that is, unless you believe as some of the Trump critics do, that we are indeed the world's policeman and like former American leaders, believe in promoting democracy at the pointy end of the bayonet?



Finally, I'm a security cooperation expert helping the Pentagon work with land forces across the world.  Our allies and foreign partners like us because we are ready to fight for them and more often than not give them training and equipment to settle their own challenges.  I dare say the American taxpayer ought to ask whether there ought to be a limit on how much of this fighting really supports our national interests.



I'm reminded of what English statesman and General Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) said to his troops: "Put your trust in God, but mind to keep your powder dry."   That's an apropos view in the Syria account.  America has too many fights ongoing now and much bigger ones ahead.  For our national interests, we too must "mind to keep" our powder dry and not squander our resources on others' wars.  Let's put Syria in the rearview mirror.



Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and is an instructor at the Army War College. He oversees a team of national security experts in the Pentagon and has more than 800 published articles on national security and geopolitical issues. His most recent books are Progressive Evil (2019), and Alliance of Evil (2018).

[Anonymous]

I'm always in favour of withdrawing troops from the region. I lived in the Middle East and I know infidel soldiers in that area is a lightning rod.

[Odinson]

800 muslim cock loving liberal white female feminists have escaped the Ain Issa camp..





They are headed towards finnish social service office.

[Anonymous]

800 muslim cock loving liberal white female feminists have escaped the Ain Issa camp..





They are headed towards finnish social service office.

Where is that camp?

[Odinson]

800 muslim cock loving liberal white female feminists have escaped the Ain Issa camp..





They are headed towards finnish social service office.

Where is that camp?

Its near the area the turks are invading..



The camp guards have left the camp.

[Anonymous]

Here's an interesting article from a highly qualified person



https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2019/10/missing_the_bigger_picture_in_kurdish_syria.html">https://www.americanthinker.com/images/bucket/2019-10/216560_5_.png[/img]



Also, we need to ask ourselves whether the withdrawal of a few American troops really matters in the conflict either against ISIS, and did it really grant the Turkish government the "green light" to attack "terrorist" Kurds?  Perhaps.  The Syrian civil war which led to the rise of ISIS is over and the bloody dictator in Damascus won, thanks to the Russians and Iranians.  We can blame Obama for that outcome, not Trump.  And yes, the Turks have permission from Damascus to cross into Syria and they will now consolidate a buffer zone along the Syrian border to control terrorist actions fostered by the independence-minded Kurds and allow for millions of refugees to return home.  I bet the U.S. would do the same if we had a similar problem on either of our borders with Mexico or Canada.



The pregnant question that Trump's critics don't answer is: Will ISIS return to fight another day?  Not necessarily.  Keep in mind that al Qaeda and ISIS are in many more places today than when U.S. forces first pursued them in the mountains of Afghanistan and in the northern plains of Iraq.  Also, what remains of ISIS is trapped in a small area in Syria and if they make a ruckus that can be easily handled by Turkish and Russian airstrikes, and they won't bother with concerns about collateral damage.



Another point about all the fake news about the Kurdish plight is evidence of a basic misunderstanding about the Middle East, which is locked in a constant cycle of war in part because of the English and French fools that redrew the maps after World War I.



Trump's critics can learn about Middle Eastern culture by watching Lawrence of Arabia.  Remember the first time that Lawrence goes into the desert his guide stops at some oasis.  As the guide drinks from the well, a dark figure on a camel rides fast towards them and then shoots dead Lawrence's guide. Lawrence is stunned and asks why the Arab killed the guide.  The Arab responds, "He is Hazzami. He is nothing.  He knew that he could not drink from our well."  

[[cc . This tale ^^ really puts it where it's at in the area]]



Yes, much of the region is locked in tribal wars and they don't want democracy.  Further, and in part because of those tribal wars, we do not need to stay there another day, much less a century.  Rather, let the regional players handle these problems and leave the larger security challenges like China and Russia to the United States.  



Why must America get involved in every conflict around the world that is, unless you believe as some of the Trump critics do, that we are indeed the world's policeman and like former American leaders, believe in promoting democracy at the pointy end of the bayonet?



Finally, I'm a security cooperation expert helping the Pentagon work with land forces across the world.  Our allies and foreign partners like us because we are ready to fight for them and more often than not give them training and equipment to settle their own challenges.  I dare say the American taxpayer ought to ask whether there ought to be a limit on how much of this fighting really supports our national interests.



I'm reminded of what English statesman and General Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) said to his troops: "Put your trust in God, but mind to keep your powder dry."   That's an apropos view in the Syria account.  America has too many fights ongoing now and much bigger ones ahead.  For our national interests, we too must "mind to keep" our powder dry and not squander our resources on others' wars.  Let's put Syria in the rearview mirror.



Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and is an instructor at the Army War College. He oversees a team of national security experts in the Pentagon and has more than 800 published articles on national security and geopolitical issues. His most recent books are Progressive Evil (2019), and Alliance of Evil (2018).

Great info cc. You and Gaon are our foreign policy experts. I am like a deer in the headlights reading this. It dispels misconceptions I had about the Kurds.

[cc]

Lots of reports of Syrian forces headed north to confront Turkey

[Anonymous]

Lots of reports of Syrian forces headed north to confront Turkey

We cooked a turkey today. Do you want to sit on old Herman's knee and smoke some hash?

[cc]

suuuuure  ... I'll pash on the hash, but big knees and turkey is always good









The ever shifting Arabia is seeing great change today and tomorrow with Syrian forces headed north to confront Turkey





As I know there will never be stability or peace in the region ... so I have no hopes for that ...  my concern becomes solely about ISIS and Al Quaida being contained. That is the single element that "could" keep the US in the game