It doesn't get much coverage, but the White House said yesterday that Turkey "has a right to defend itself" against attacks by the Kurds. Unless there is something that has been kept secret about the Kurds, this is a disgusting move by the Obama administration. Let's review the facts:
1. The Turks and the PKK movement of the Kurds in Turkey fought a long, long war which ended with a cease fire and negotiations a few years ago.
2. The Kurds (including the PKK) have been fighting against ISIS on the ground and have been the only reliable ground force in confronting ISIS.
3. The Kurds have been long time friends of America. That was true during the Iraq War and in the battle with ISIS.
4. Turkey is a member of NATO, but it refused for many years to get involved in the battles in Iraq and Syria, and it also refused to let US forces use bases in Turkey in connection with those fights.
5. The Kurds have had success in Syria against ISIS, and have taken control of a majority of the Syrian side of the border with Turkey. This Kurdish success has made the Turks very nervous.
6. In the last two weeks, there have been two major terrorist moves in Turkey. ISIS detonated a bomb and killed about 30 people and a group of ISIS terrorists who were infiltrating into Turkey had a firefight with Turkish troops and were killed.
7. Turkey has just changed its policy. It will now allow America to use the Incirlik air base to hit ISIS positions in Syria and Iraq. Turkey has also begun airstrikes in Syria against ISIS and Kurdish targets.
8. Prior to these airstrikes by the Turks, there were no terrorist attacks by the PKK or any other Kurds in Turkey.
9. In response to the airstrikes, the PKK launched a retaliatory strike which killed two in Turkey.
So, the Turks broke the ceasefire and bombed the Kurds. In response, the Kurds struck back. And Obama tells the world that the Turks are justified in defending themselves?
Clearly, Obama made a deal with the Turks in which he sold out our ally the Kurds. We get to use an air base and the Turks start fighting ISIS. That's good. In exchange, though, Obama supports and justifies Turkish attacks on one of our allies? That is disgusting and very damaging to America's reputation in the world.
Just when I think that the Obama foreign policy could not get worse, it always does. Isn't there anyone in the administration who understands reality?
1. The Turks and the PKK movement of the Kurds in Turkey fought a long, long war which ended with a cease fire and negotiations a few years ago.
2. The Kurds (including the PKK) have been fighting against ISIS on the ground and have been the only reliable ground force in confronting ISIS.
3. The Kurds have been long time friends of America. That was true during the Iraq War and in the battle with ISIS.
4. Turkey is a member of NATO, but it refused for many years to get involved in the battles in Iraq and Syria, and it also refused to let US forces use bases in Turkey in connection with those fights.
5. The Kurds have had success in Syria against ISIS, and have taken control of a majority of the Syrian side of the border with Turkey. This Kurdish success has made the Turks very nervous.
6. In the last two weeks, there have been two major terrorist moves in Turkey. ISIS detonated a bomb and killed about 30 people and a group of ISIS terrorists who were infiltrating into Turkey had a firefight with Turkish troops and were killed.
7. Turkey has just changed its policy. It will now allow America to use the Incirlik air base to hit ISIS positions in Syria and Iraq. Turkey has also begun airstrikes in Syria against ISIS and Kurdish targets.
8. Prior to these airstrikes by the Turks, there were no terrorist attacks by the PKK or any other Kurds in Turkey.
9. In response to the airstrikes, the PKK launched a retaliatory strike which killed two in Turkey.
So, the Turks broke the ceasefire and bombed the Kurds. In response, the Kurds struck back. And Obama tells the world that the Turks are justified in defending themselves?
Clearly, Obama made a deal with the Turks in which he sold out our ally the Kurds. We get to use an air base and the Turks start fighting ISIS. That's good. In exchange, though, Obama supports and justifies Turkish attacks on one of our allies? That is disgusting and very damaging to America's reputation in the world.
Just when I think that the Obama foreign policy could not get worse, it always does. Isn't there anyone in the administration who understands reality?
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