That negative view is led by Trump’s guy in the US Senate Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina ….
Several prominent Republicans admonished the White House on Monday for its controversial decision to allow Turkey to invade northern Syria and potentially wipe out U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters — with Sen. Lindsey Graham criticizing the maneuver as “a disaster in the making” in a rare public break with President Donald Trump.
“I don’t know all the details regarding President Trump’s decision in northern Syria,” the South Carolina Republican wrote on Twitter, adding that he was in the process of scheduling a phone call with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and warning: “If press reports are accurate, this is a disaster in the making.”
Graham, a vocal defender of the president and frequent adviser on matters of foreign policy, predicted the administration’s move would ensure a “comeback” of ISIS, force the Kurds to align themselves with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Iran, damage the relationship between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government and Congress, and become “a stain on America’s honor for abandoning the Kurds.”
He also threatened to introduce a Senate resolution opposing the administration’s decision, and accused the White House of being dishonest about the nature of the ISIS threat during an interview on the president’s favorite morning cable news show.
“The biggest lie being told by the administration [is] that ISIS is defeated,” Graham told the hosts of “Fox & Friends.”…..
…
Sen. Marco Rubio, another hawkish lawmaker respected within the GOP for his foreign policy outlook, also condemned the White House’s action and cautioned that it would encourage Iran amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic.
“If reports about US retreat in #Syria are accurate, the Trump administration has made a grave mistake that will have implications far beyond Syria,” the Florida Republican tweeted. “It would confirm #Iran’s view of this administration & embolden then to escalate hostile attacks which in turn could trigger much broader & more dangerous regional war.”
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the third-ranking House Republican, called the move “a catastrophic mistake, ” tweeting: “This decision ignores lesson of 9/11. Terrorists thousands of miles away can and will use their safe-havens to launch attacks against America. ”
Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, issued a denunciation, as well….
Update….
Under YUGE pressure from US Senator’s from HIS party?
Trump tries to back up a bit against Turkey ….
……after a flood of criticism from congressional Republicans, Mr. Trump pivoted hours later, saying that he would prevent Turkey from going too far, without explaining what he meant or where that line would be drawn.
“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!),” he wrote.
A Defense Department official said that the president’s tweet removed any ambiguity about whether Mr. Trump had endorsed a Turkish attack on the Kurds. “The Department of Defense made clear to Turkey — as did the president — that we do not endorse a Turkish operation in Northern Syria,”….
image…Getty
Update….
Some US Spec Ops troops may still be left in the North Syria temprrarly…
None of the Allied countries military had been notified of this
Bill Neeley NBC
Graham has gone ballistic on this…
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday he and Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen will introduce bipartisan sanctions against Turkey if it crosses the Syrian border and attacks Kurdish forces, after President Donald Trump said late Sunday that he was withdrawing U.S. troops from the border region.
“I hope and expect sanctions against Turkey — if necessary — would be veto-proof,” Graham said.
“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 tweeted….
More…
Trump will likely “modify” his order and the lapdogs will be back lapping shortly.
i believe he’s already trying to do so by dating the Trucks shouldn’t do anything to the Kurds or he’ll screw up Turkey’s economy….
i do NOT think that is gonna be enough…
I wonder if the was a deal he cut with Putin who is the Turkish leaders’ new friend?
McConnell joins the chorus against Trump’s withdrawal from Northern Syria….
Graham thinks a Senate vote against the move would be veto proof….
Hmmmmm?
Is Trump getting the message on this?
As Democrats, how do you people view this change in policy?
I was opposed to the Syrian intervention;howver, now that we encouraged the Kurds to be involved there we have an obligation to them.
The larger lesson is that these interventions never end well.One might think we would learn ,but we don’t.
I agree with Jack. I certainly don’t think We have any long term obligation to protect the Kurds, but the sudden withdrawal didn’t even give the Kurds time to protect themselves. Count me as strongly against this strategy change.
It is worth repeating though that the US has military all over the world – supposedly to protect our allies. We don’t need to have a long term presence almost anywhete. Ironically, the case for protecting the Kurds is stronger than any other situation I can think of.
I can’t help but wonder. What did Turkey promise Trump?
It’s not only a moral crime but terrible diplomacy to encourage foreign groups to throw their lot in with Uncle Sam, only to abandon them to their enemies; as others have said, why would anyone trust American promises when we really need their help?
There are times where the U.S. or the Western powers have no choice but to cease aid to threatened groups, but to keep the trust of other allies and future allies, such withdrawals or abstentions should only come out of absolute necessity or inability, e.g. in Viet Nam or Poland against Stalin, and accompany the maximum possible shelter, refuge and aid to those who risked and gave their lives to achieve shared objectives.
Who would risk his (or her) life as an allied interpreter (in e.g. Afghanistan) or as irregular co-belligerents (as the Sunni Awakening in Iraq) if they thought or knew that their ally would abandon them and their families?
What is even worse is when someone listens to U.S. appeals (e.g. the Marsh Arabs in Iraq or the Hungarian freedom fighters) when the U.S. administration of the day really has no intention of keeping its implied promises to intervene or else to protect them against reprisal.
To leave the Kurds to get slaughtered by Turkey is INHUMAN…..
The outcry by Senators of BOTH PARTIES is a testament to how WRONG Trump is….
America will have troops in the Middle East forever…
THAT?
Just IS in the worlds National Interest….
Sort of off topic. But relates to the Trump Republican base isolating itself. In this case It’s rural Arkansas rejecting any idea that they should invest in better schools, libraries, etc. But it can be extrapolated to the same attitude towards international issues.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/opinion/sunday/trump-arkansas.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
At some level, I think longtime Democrats would have to appreciate the way that Trump has changed, for now, the Republican Party, via cult of personality, towards a “what goes on over there or anywhere outside of our borders is not our problem. Keep/bring our boys home” attitude.
He’s certainly not a typical post-WWII Republican.
But I guess they think he is so bad on other things, they would the days of Bush/Cheney by comparison.
The difference is most Drmocrats prefer diplomacy to over extending ourselves militarily.
Isolationist Republicans like Trump (and Pat Buchanan before him) are in favor of neither.
Well, Trump seems to like the idea of “diplomacy” with Kim Jong Un, and Putin, and others (potentially the Taliban), so I am not sure how valid that theory that is.
However, the end isolationist results and desiring to focus on domestic issues are the same.
Are you opposed to diplomacy as regards Putin and Kim?
I think you have to talk to Putin, but not the way Trump does.
There is no reason at all to talk to Kim Jung Un unless significant concessions are made by them first. Otherwise, you are giving him the platform and legitimacy he craves.
So essentially you feel that all this talk about doing “something “ about Kim is just noise?
Republicans were very critical of Obama vis a vis Kim;however ,they have been strangely muted while Trump pursues this oftentimes bizarre minuet with him.
I’ve been highly critical of everything we have seen surrounding Trump’s awkward pursuit of a romance with Kim.
What Trump dore is not “diplomacy”. It’s transactional to whoever kisses his ass.
And the domestic issues Trump wants to focus on in lieu of foreign entanglements ar. 180 degrees from where Democrats stand.
Really? Large infrastructure projects? Protectionist trade deals? Prison reform?
Massive tax cuts for the wealthy, gutting thousands of environmental protections, canceling thousand of regulations concerning business abuses, gutting the Consumer protection agency,massive increases in the military budget, kowtowing to the uh “nonpartisan NRA in all matters involving guns, vicious verbal assaults on anyone not White ,particularly immigrants, …Sort of typical Republican stuff
I don’t necessarily agree on all that, but clearly by the examples I gave, it’s a mixed bag.
I guess not good enough though to admit that on foreign policy, he tries to adhere to what Democrats have claimed to want to accomplish.
Before today, Republican opposition to Trumps foreign policy has been muted.
I don’t recall you raising this issue much.
Unsurprising I might add.
I’ve criticized Trump’s foreign policy on many, many occasions, and on many many fronts from Day 1. I guess you just do not read my blog enough or follow HHR, but that’s fine, but I think I’ve done it plenty on here too.
I have assured you that my dislike for Trump extends to policy matters as well, although it would make no difference if I somehow did agree with him on all policy matters.
You consistently show that you have no idea what Democrats think. This is the result of you listening to Fox News. When I listen to Fox News and they say “Democrats want to do x because of Y” they almost always get it wrong. Usually you get it wrong because you assume deep down that Democrats have no principles – and you have the need to believe that because you now know that Republicans don’t.
I will say that it is interesting that Republicans are breaking with Trump on this issue, They stood behind him on almost everything – including threats to America itself. Out of everything that has happened the past 3 years, Republicans are most outraged at abandoning the Kurds? Massive decisive? No problem. Ignoring the Constitution? No problem. Widespread corruption? No problem – or if was Biden’s fault. But abandoning the Kurds is where they draw the line?
Paid family leave?
You are opposed to paid family leave?
I’m opposed to the federal government mandating it on small businesses, etc, yes.
Well it’s been around awjile long time now and the Republicans and, I presume ,your belief that it would adversely effect small businesses” (which has a shifting definition) hasn’t been borne out.
Indeed, Republicans are bragging about how “good” businesses are doing.
However, I would urge Republicans to make opposition to Family Leave a major part Of their program.
You are thinking of FMLA, which is unpaid leave.
Trump, spurred on by his daughter, has suggested doing far more.
Very big difference between 12 weeks of unpaid leave, as is the current system, and mandating that small businesses also pay out a full salary, while likely also having to hire replacement workers.
Once again, besides afew cursory remarks what has he done?
Nothing.
However let me say that if he did ,most Republicans would fall in line with his general idea and just try to mess around the edges.
Trump now defines what is “conservative.”
I know you don’t like this,but that’s the reality.
He doesn’t define what is conservative. He defines what many conservatives are willing to accept for the prize of “owning the liberals.”
In regards to Jonah Goldberg, to the best of knowledge, he is someone who never considered voting for Trump then and unlike others who said that, has not gone back to say he will or might support him in 2020.
To me, that is the absolute definition of “Never Trump.” It is about a personal voting to decision to never vote for him- primary or general.
If he has on occasion expressed agreement with Trump or defending him to some degree on what he saw as an unfair attack, that’s irrelevant, as long as he has maintained the overall position of never voting for Trump.
One does not have to abandon all previously held positions/principles or become a Democrat to be Never Trump.
Those on the right who do not should be looked kindly upon by Democrats for that reason, with the acknowledgement that ideological differences exist.
I don’t look “unkindly “;on Goldberg or you for that matter.
However, real NeverTrumpers like Kristol, Rick Wilson ,Charlie Sykes and others acknowledge that the numero uno matter is getting rid of Trump ,even if it means electing aDemcrat.
Goldberg never takes that position.He says he won’t “vote” for him.So do you.Thats nice wholly irrelevant to acknowledging that the only way to get rid of Trump is to elect a Democrat.
That’s just aa bridge too far for him and you.
I’ve never heard Kristol or Sykes say they will support a Democrat. (Not sure what Wilson says). I know Kristol said it was important to elect Republicans in the 2018 midterms. I don’t think they are any different than me on this matter. Kristol is advising Joe Walsh in his campaign.
Charlie Sykes, who has been termed a “real” NeverTrumper seems to have written quite a bit in the past few months about how Democrats are blowing it and falling into Trump’s traps, and that in order to win the White House, they need to nominate a moderate.
He seems to be more bullish on Trump’s 2020 chances than a supposedly “non-real” NeverTrumper like me.
Rick Wilson wrote a column last month in which he gave Democrats “advice” from a perspective of that they seem to be clueless on how to beat Trump.
He also has been saying that the Democrats should pick a Republican for VP.
You refuse to acknowledge that the only way to rid the country of Trump is to elect aDemocrat.
If you will now acknowledge that,then I will happily concede your status as a NeverTrumper;otherwise, you simply an anti Trump Republican.
In other words ,while you oppose Trump you are ,at best ,“agnostic “ on seeing him defeated by a Democrat .Tacitly then ,admitting, without doing so explicitly, that four more years of Trump is better than a Democrat in the White House.
Here it is a moment of truth.We are not talking about your “vote.” We are talking about a simple acknowledgement by you that in order to get rid of Trump, a Democrat has to be elected in November of next year.
No, there are other constitutional ways to get rid of Trump, but since I am not going to vote for Trump, I don’t know what your criticism has to do with me. I seem more than resigned to a Democrat winning in that case.
You didn’t have any problems doing what I do when you were faced with Jim DeMint and Alvin Green, did you?
The definition of “NeverTrump” is pretty simple. There certainly is no need for everyone under the label to agree on everything beyond “never casting a vote for Trump.”
Since we tend to be committed principled conservatives, voting for Mickey Mouse or Goofy theoretically makes just as much sense as voting for a Democrat.
Yeah, right the Republican Senate is going to vote to remove Trump.
Yeah right.
So you’re “resigned” to it.
Just can’t bring yourself to utter the words.
I’m not being critical of you.
You’re just being what you are…a loyal Republican.
Be happy!
I think it’s common sense for NeverTrump conservatives to realize that we do not have the individual power to “rid the country of Trump.” Such a thing will be up to many many other people. So, let the Democrats prove they can do it.
If someone who leans right, especially in a swing state, wants to vote for a Democrat, that is their right. I won’t be angry at them, but yes, that is a bridge too far for most, because how can you immediately pivot from wanting to “rid the country” of them as President, if you are directly responsible for voting them in?
If Democrats were serious about trying to win *with* our votes, they would be open to changing the direction of the party, and clearly they are not. (Since they think they can win without us, I can’t really fault them.)
By not supporting Trump, plenty would say I am not a “loyal Republican.”
Fine. The only loyalty I feel I owe is to the country and to my own values and conscience and thus a vote for Trump or anybody who might possibly be nominated by the Democrats would be an act of disloyalty to myself.
that isn’t enough for the Trump people….
How about infrastructure?Everyone admits its in dire straits?What should wecdue?Nothing?Maybe atax Cult for the wealthy will solve everything?
There are valid projects of course, but that also usually opens up room for lots of crazy boondoggles, and bridges to nowhere, etc.
If you’re arguing there is a degree of corruption in many programs?
Sure there are;however, using such as a reason to essentially do nothing is not a very viable option.
As far as waste?The military budget far outranks social programs for “waste”, cost overruns etc.
Republicans generally have no problem with such.
I think Republicans should fight military waste and overruns, while supporting the strongest possible defense.
Trump’s emphasis on government run infrastructure programs is just not very conservative.
I understand why Democrats would support it. They should just admit they like *some* of what the Administration does or would do, but just cannot overlook the bigger moral picture, which is what I say from my perspective.
Besides some rather vague lip service, tell us what actions Trump has taken in re infrastructure.
Once again ,I don’t recall any “conservative “ outcry over his mouthing.
If he was remotely competent and able to stay on message, he would have been able to work with Democrats to spend all that money.
Instead, every time there is “Infrastructure Week” some scandal breaks and he starts attacking people on Twitter.
One of the funniest things the Republicans are doing is boasting that they are gonna do something about the “deficit “ if they are returned to control of the House so sayeth Trump stooge, Kevin McCarthy .
If he was remotely competent and able to stay on message, he would have been able to work with Democrats to spend all that money.
Instead, every time there is “Infrastructure Week” some scandal breaks and he starts attacking people on Twitter.
Well I was in meetings but I see I.missed another of CG’s therapy sessions where he imagines that Trump is somehow more sympatico with the Democratic Party than the GOP.
Glad to see Jack schooled his ass.
A. That’s not what I claimed
B. I think I did just fine, but didn’t realize it was a competition. My points were not even challenged,
C. Must be hard to focus on the meetings with the Cardinals’ season on the line.
True. Cubs fans have more time to discuss “infrastructure week”–which was always a joke all along.
The idea that Trump is even remotely interested in Democrstic policies like strengthening environmental protections, addressing climate change, creating a more equitable tax system to reduce income inequality etc etc.
Also a joke.
Cubs fans have 5 years of more recent memories of a World championship too. The last time the Cardinals were in the playoffs, they were eliminated by the Cubs, so I know how cleansing it might feel if in a few more innings, someone else gets to do the same to them.
I remember the Cubs WS victory. It opened the portal to hell that allowed Trump to become President.
It’s just the 1908 William Howard Taft mandate that a fat guy must win.
That fat-man mandate didn’t work too well in 1912, did it?
To ignore what is going on beyond your border’s assign and dangerous…
Donald Trump does ‘his own thing’ as President…
This IS a prime example of it….
Good posts on this thread regarding the Kurds from almost everyone, but especially DSD.
The “neocons” would be proud.