Analysis: Dropped by CIA, Syrian Rebels Could Join Jihadists

Solarion

Solarion

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The Trump administration’s decision to end a covert CIA program that provided arms and training to Syrian rebels may prompt the country’s battered opposition to side with jihadists in pursuit of a common goal: the overthrow of the Syrian government.

President Trump’s reported suspension of a covert CIA program to fund, arm and train Syrian rebels is seen as signaling the end of U.S. efforts to pressure Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on the battlefield.

But the cutting of U.S. ties – and likely those of U.S. allies who also provided the rebels material support – also calls into question the fate of thousands of armed fighters who have grown reliant on U.S. support and direction.

The move, which some commentators have characterized as appeasing Russia, Mr. Assad’s most powerful backer, has left thousands of mainstream rebels struggling to navigate a battlefield suddenly tipped against them, without a patron, without guidance – and for some – without a cause.

Among the options for the rebels, looking to evolve to survive: Join the U.S.-led battle against the so-called Islamic State, or, for the fervently anti-Assad fighters, even join the ranks of jihadist and Islamist groups, which have retained their shadowy funding and supply lines.
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Loads of them already did this a long time ago.
 
:crylaugh: they have already joined the Jihadists ages ago, the only difference is now they'd be doing it without US support ... at long f-ing last!
 
Trump did the right thing here, this group of people are not that much better than ISIS or Assad.
 
konfab said:
Trump did the right thing here, this group of people are not that much better than ISIS or Assad.
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Trump is no fool. He can see the US has been skirting with the enemy for far too long now. Time to tie this thing off and get out of Syria.
 
The program was just a cynical expedient ploy by Obama anyway.

US President Barack Obama never seemed to want a train-and-equip programme for Syrian rebels. Now, government officials admit that the programme is pretty much over. Here's what happened behind the scenes at the White House. After the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, rooting for the rebels was, for many in the West, synonymous with rooting for democracy and freedom.

In the US, White House officials offered the rebels humanitarian aid and some military gear. But they argued over whether they should provide heavy weapons and help in a more serious way. The philosophical discussion at the White House was heated and fierce, leading to stalemate, not resolution. For years Obama and his deputies refused to say categorically: we're not doing this. Instead a decision was postponed.

Four years later, the result is a splintered Syrian opposition, the growth of the Islamic State group and a humanitarian disaster stretching across Europe. Last year, in a move that was more symbolic than serious, Obama asked Congress for money to fund a programme allowing US personnel to teach rebels marksmanship, navigation and other skills.
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http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33997408
 
Garson007 said:
Speaking of Afghanistan, apparently it's not getting better.
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America will leave the place without changing a line in the sand. Afghanistan's problem has way more to do with tribal warfare. I am not even sure that the soldiers know what they are doing over there.
 
Solarion said:
Trump is no fool. He can see the US has been skirting with the enemy for far too long now. Time to tie this thing off and get out of Syria.
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Hes an imbecile, everything he touches turns to schit. Which is good because Mattis seems to be taking point on Syria.
 
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