Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) is standing alongside key congressional Republicans and pundits in questioning President Trump’s decision to order U.S. troops to step aside in Kurdistan and allow Turkey to walk in conduct military operations against Syria.
“Reckless and dangerous decision to abandon SDF. Kurds have been critical US partners and most effective in fight against ISIS,” said Deutch “Again, POTUS makes a major policy decision after phone call w/ foreign leader that ignores advice of our own military leaders & facts on ground.”
Deutch also warns that this move could destabilize the region and quite possibly lead to the release of detained ISIS fighters.
“This move leaves Kurds exposed to Turkish forces and will have massive impact on their ability to hold ISIS detainees. Despite POTUS’ declaration, ISIS is not defeated,” stated Deutch “This risks serious destabilization in Syria and potentially forces SDF to align with Assad.”
The optics for the president are bad.
Military experts and politicians believe that the “ill-advised” move by President Trump abandons the long-time U.S. ally and American flag-wearing Kurds.
In addition, the message sends the message to all allies that the U.S. might not have their rear flank, or their “six.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who recently stated that he would expose the whistleblowers if House Democrats continued trying to impeach Trump, came out against the president’s decision in Syria.
Sen. Graham equates Trump's move to what President Obama did in Iran.
No matter what President Trump is saying about his decision, it is EXACTLY what President Obama did in Iraq with even more disastrous consequences for our national security.
Unlike President Obama, I hope President Trump will reassess and take sound military advice.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 7, 2019
“Hope and expect sanctions against Turkey – if necessary – would be veto-proof,” said Graham “This decision to abandon our Kurdish allies and turn Syria over to Russia, Iran, & Turkey will put every radical Islamist on steroids. Shot in the arm to the bad guys. Devastating for the good guys
Graham added,”It is never wise to abandon an ally who has sacrificed on your behalf. It is never wise to repeat the mistakes of your predecessor. It is never wise to outsource American national security to Turkey or any other nation.”
President Trump defended his decision to have U.S. troops step aside, and allowing Turkey to move in on Twitter.
“I was elected on getting out of these ridiculous endless wars, where our great Military functions as a policing operation to the benefit of people who don’t even like the USA.
The two most unhappy countries at this move are Russia & China, because they love seeing us bogged down, watching over a quagmire, & spending big dollars to do so. When I took over, our Military was totally depleted. Now it is stronger than ever before. The endless and ridiculous wars are ENDING! We will be focused on the big picture, knowing we can always go back & BLAST!"
Trump then threatened Turkey if they do something he sees as “off limits.”
"As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over..."
As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019