Just yesterday, I wrote about why the Assad forces and the Russians would target the Kurds in northeastern Syria. That attack not only hit America's Kurdish allies, but it came very close to hitting US special operations forces in the region. Today, the next piece of the puzzle fell into place; the US commander for the region warned that further attacks near US special forces would bring retaliation. Here's how CNN reported the comment from Lt. General Stephen Townsend who just took command this past week.
"We've informed the Russians where we're at ... (they) tell us they've informed the Syrians, and I'd just say that we will defend ourselves if we feel threatened."
It is highly unlikely that Townsend made this statement without first clearing it with the Pentagon. It is also highly unlikely that the Pentagon would approve that statement without the blessing of the White House. America is now warning the Syrians controlled by Assad and the Russians to stay away from our special forces.
Think what this does. If Assad wants to test Washington, he will surely bomb in the area again. If the USA planes stop the attack, Assad can look like the brave warrior standing up to Washington. If the US planes don't stop the attack, then Obama will look even weaker than he does now (assuming such a thing is possible.) If the Russians want to undermine the USA, what better way than to have America make a threat and then not back it up.
It is critical that our forces now behave in the manner that our general said that they would. If any other force tries to attack in the region of our special operators, the US air force should take them out. It may create tensions with Iran, but that's a small price to pay compared to the damage that would be done if America does nothing in that situation.
The truth is that if Assad sends his planes anywhere near our special ops guys, we ought to take out not just those planes but the big chunk of his air force as well. That would speak volumes.
"We've informed the Russians where we're at ... (they) tell us they've informed the Syrians, and I'd just say that we will defend ourselves if we feel threatened."
It is highly unlikely that Townsend made this statement without first clearing it with the Pentagon. It is also highly unlikely that the Pentagon would approve that statement without the blessing of the White House. America is now warning the Syrians controlled by Assad and the Russians to stay away from our special forces.
Think what this does. If Assad wants to test Washington, he will surely bomb in the area again. If the USA planes stop the attack, Assad can look like the brave warrior standing up to Washington. If the US planes don't stop the attack, then Obama will look even weaker than he does now (assuming such a thing is possible.) If the Russians want to undermine the USA, what better way than to have America make a threat and then not back it up.
It is critical that our forces now behave in the manner that our general said that they would. If any other force tries to attack in the region of our special operators, the US air force should take them out. It may create tensions with Iran, but that's a small price to pay compared to the damage that would be done if America does nothing in that situation.
The truth is that if Assad sends his planes anywhere near our special ops guys, we ought to take out not just those planes but the big chunk of his air force as well. That would speak volumes.
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