Nothing ever changes.
This post first appeared on Russia Insider
ISIS is on the run. The "moderate" rebels have lost much of their foreign support. The long, bloody war in Syria is entering its last chapter.
In Iraq, the ISIS stronghold of Mosul is not far from liberation.
Iraq, Syria, Russia and Iran have been coordinating anti-terrorism efforts from a joint operations center in Baghdad. Their close cooperation has paid off: Finally, there is real hope for peace and stability in the region.
Not if the Pentagon has its way.
As we reported yesterday, hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed near Raqqa with heavy artillery.
In additional, 2,500 ground combat troops are on their way to Kuwait, where they will likely be "called upon to back up coalition forces battling the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria".
As the Army Times explains, "The deployment will include elements of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which is based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. About 1,700 soldiers from the same unit are overseas now, spread between Iraq and Kuwait...Today, there are about 6,000 American troops spread between Iraq and Syria, where this week Marine Corps artillery crews established a fire base from which U.S. forces intend to attack ISIS targets in and around Raqqa."
Yes, we know. This is part of Trump's "brilliant" move to curb-stomp ISIS and free the world from terror.
The United States has been bombing/sanctioning/destabilizing/invading Iraq since January 16, 1991. That means this new deployment marks 26 years of Washington destroying Iraq.
Peace isn't far off. The Russia/Iran/Iraq/Syria coalition can finish the job while respecting state sovereignty and international law.
Isn't it amazing that the Pentagon is boasting about more troops to Syria — a country that doesn't want them there?
8,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria won't help defeat ISIS. The very reason ISIS exists is because of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Trump isn't even calling the shots in Iraq and Syria. He has given almost full control to his generals.
Which means business as usual: War at any cost.
This post first appeared on Russia Insider
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