Aftermath of the Turkish assault on Ras al-Ayn, a Syrian city in Kurdish-controlled territory.
On Wednesday, October 9th, Turkey led an air and ground assault on the border of Syria and
Turkey, killing at least eight civilians in the Kurdish-controlled area. This attack came as a direct
result of President Trump giving the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the go-ahead by
removing the American troops previously stationed on the border. According to officials, the US
has not been providing support to Turkey, however, “for the last few weeks, as Turkish military
officials planned the assault, they received American surveillance video and information from
reconnaissance aircraft” (Hubbard and Gall).
Turkey, killing at least eight civilians in the Kurdish-controlled area. This attack came as a direct
result of President Trump giving the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the go-ahead by
removing the American troops previously stationed on the border. According to officials, the US
has not been providing support to Turkey, however, “for the last few weeks, as Turkish military
officials planned the assault, they received American surveillance video and information from
reconnaissance aircraft” (Hubbard and Gall).
Syrian Kurds marching for peace prior to their city being bombed by Turkish warplanes.
Turkey is a NATO ally of the United States, but the Kurds have been even closer allies over the
past four years. Starting in 2015, a US-led military coalition joined forces with a Kurdish militia
(now the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF) to fight ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq. Many of
Trump’s own party members and usual allies have spoken out against his decision to, in effect,
abandon the Kurds after they helped the US fight ISIS. The Syrian Democratic Forces now have
shift their focus from ISIS to fighting against the Turkish threat at their border, which some
predict will allow ISIS to reemerge.
past four years. Starting in 2015, a US-led military coalition joined forces with a Kurdish militia
(now the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF) to fight ISIS forces in Syria and Iraq. Many of
Trump’s own party members and usual allies have spoken out against his decision to, in effect,
abandon the Kurds after they helped the US fight ISIS. The Syrian Democratic Forces now have
shift their focus from ISIS to fighting against the Turkish threat at their border, which some
predict will allow ISIS to reemerge.
Trump has issued conflicting statements about whether he supports the Turkish assault on the
Kurds. It is reported that in a phone call with Turkish President Erdogan, Trump permitted the
operation, but after the assault happened Trump called it “a bad idea.” Americans have seen
this on almost a daily basis: our president issuing inconsistent statements and many times
flat-out lies.
Kurds. It is reported that in a phone call with Turkish President Erdogan, Trump permitted the
operation, but after the assault happened Trump called it “a bad idea.” Americans have seen
this on almost a daily basis: our president issuing inconsistent statements and many times
flat-out lies.
Keeping in mind that Turkey is a member of NATO, can and should the US reverse Trump’s
decision and support the Kurds who once supported us?
decision and support the Kurds who once supported us?
Trump used his power as Chief Diplomat to do something that both Democrats and Republicans
strongly opposed. Will this increase the likelihood of his impeachment in the House and
conviction in the Senate? Would it be unconstitutional for congresspeople to keep this in mind
when casting their vote for impeachment/conviction?
strongly opposed. Will this increase the likelihood of his impeachment in the House and
conviction in the Senate? Would it be unconstitutional for congresspeople to keep this in mind
when casting their vote for impeachment/conviction?
Steven Yarmolinsky
ReplyDelete2. Although pulling their support and aid for the Kurds is an unpopular decision, Trump is unlikely to be convicted by the Senate, but will most likely be impeached by the House. Acting as Chief Diplomat is a presidential privilege, but he must understand the repercussions of his decision. As many people are against this decision, he must accept a reality in which he does get impeached, as Republicans are a little fed up with as well.
1. I think that if the decision were to be reconsidered, much more thought should be put in than when Trump initially withdrew troops. The possible dangers of reentering the area should be weighed against the probability of success, and the positives reestablishing our presence would bring.
ReplyDelete2. While this certainly did not help out Trump's cause, I do not think it will be a deciding factor in the impeachment process. Even though Trump did something many disagree with, the fact is that he acted within his given powers, and therefore did not commit an impeachable offense in this case. This just provided an example of his continued poor decisions in relation to foreign policy.
The US should reverse Trump's position in order to support the Kurds against Turkey. The Kurds were one of greatest allies and very useful guerilla fighters for us in the middle east. We must try to win back the Kurds support before it is too late in order to improve our options in the middle east.
ReplyDelete2.I doubt that this played a role in Trump's impeachment. While it definitely hurt him, it had no relevance to the reasons he was being impeached. If individual members of the House looked to this as a deciding factor for impeachment, that would be, in my opinion, undemocratic. They would be letting outside factors affect their decision.
ReplyDeleteEthan Gardner
ReplyDelete1. I think the U.S. should reverse Trump's decision, because the Kurds have been victims of genocide at the hands of the Turkish people for a long time and deserve our support. Trump screwed over the Kurds, who have helped American forces defeat dangerous terrorist organizations for years. It is important that we return what they have done for us and protect them when they really need it.