Trump says Turkish offensive in Syria is 'not our problem'

[Warlord]

President Trump said Wednesday that Turkey’s offensive against U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in northern Syria is “not our problem,” defending his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from the region amid criticism.

"If Turkey goes into Syria, it is between Turkey and Syria. It’s not our problem,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

Trump also downplayed the U.S. alliance with the Kurds, calling them “no angels” and saying the U.S. “paid a lot of money” for the Syrian Kurdish forces to fight alongside U.S. troops against ISIS.

Trump’s remarks came as a U.S. delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence prepared to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara in an attempt to broker a ceasefire in the region.

“The Kurds are much safer right now, but the Kurds know how to fight, and as I said, they’re not angels. They’re not angels. You take a look… but they fought with us. We paid a lot of money for them to fight with us, and that’s OK,” Trump said Wednesday in the Oval Office.

"If Russia wants to get involved with Syria, that’s really up to them. They have a problem with Turkey. They have a problem at a border. It’s not our border, we shouldn’t be losing lives over it,” Trump said later.

Trump has faced tremendous blowback over his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria as Turkey prepared to launch a military operation at the border, including harsh criticism from some of his Republican allies.

Many critics have argued that Trump’s move effectively greenlit Ankara's operation and that the president abandoned Kurdish forces, a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS. Turkey has long viewed the Syrian Kurds as a terrorist group.

The decision has also raised concerns about the potential for large numbers of ISIS fighters detained in the region to be released, undoing much of the work by U.S. and other forces to contain the terror group.

Administration officials have rejected the notion that Trump’s decision to pull back troops paved the way for the Turkish operation.

Trump has continued to defend his decision, saying he wants to get the U.S. out of “endless wars.” On Monday, he also announced sanctions on Turkey.

https://thehill.com/homenews/admini...turkish-offensive-in-syria-is-not-our-problem

 

[phill4paul]

Orange man bad!

 

[Cleaner44]

It is nice having a president that rejects the Obama/Bush/Bolton/CNN/NBC/etc foreign policy fraud.

 

[TER]

Best. President.

Trump 2020!!!

 

[Sammy]

Best President since Calvin Coolidge!

 

[Origanalist]

He's right. Let's hope he sticks with that same logic across the board. Couldn't ask for a better response.

 

[TER]

Donald J. Trump [MENTION=68777]real[/MENTION]DonaldTrump

Senator Rand Paul just wrote a great book, “The Case Against Socialism” which is now out. Highly recommended – as America was founded on LIBERTY & INDEPENDENCE – not government coercion, domination & control. We were born free, and will stay free, as long as I am your President!

 

[Warlord]

Nice shout out.

 

[TER]

Want to see what a real President looks like?

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheReady1775/status/1184529136875905024

 

[vita3]

On point Mr.President!

 

[Zippyjuan]

On one hand, "not our problem!" On the other hand, if Turkey doesn't stop, the US will impose sanctions on them. He is even sending his VP and Secretary of State to talk to them to try to get them to stop. Trying to appease both sides. Or can't make up his mind what he really wants. Again.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ite-sanctions-and-calls-to-stop-idUSKBN1WU1D8

U.S. military aircraft carried out a “show of force” around the town of Kobani after Turkish-backed fighters came close to American forces, a U.S. official told Reuters. The Turkish-backed fighters dispersed after the show of force, the official said.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will meet Erdogan on Thursday in Ankara.

“Vice President Pence will reiterate President Trump’s commitment to maintain punishing economic sanctions on Turkey until a resolution is reached,” the White House said in a statement.

After Trump announced a set of sanctions on Monday to punish Ankara, U.S. prosecutors hit Turkey with charges on the majority state-owned Halkbank [HALKB.IS] for taking part in a multibillion-dollar scheme to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Also: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...mp-states-that-US-Troops-will-remain-in-Syria

Trump is the one who sent the troops to Syria in the first place.

 

[TER]

The House measure condemning Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. military from northern Syria passed 354-60

Look at all the warmongers in the swamp

 

[TER]

On one hand, "not our problem!" On the other hand, if Turkey doesn't stop, the US will impose sanctions on them. Flip flopper at it again.

LOL

 

[TheCount]

... then why is he sanctioning them?

 

[Dary]

In his press conference he also mentioned the many companies that make a lot of money on war.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

He said that Lindsey Graham would want us to stay in the middle east for the next thousand years.

And now Nancy and Schumer are on TV pressing for more war.

Incredible.

 

[TER]

In his press conference he also mentioned the many companies that make a lot of money on war.


I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Yep. He was pointing right at the military industrial complex and blaming them for the wars. It was an awesome press conference.

 

[Dary]

In calling for more war, Steney, Nancy and Chuck are condemning Trump. Saying that he didn't treat them nicely.

They are trying to get rid of him and they expect him to be cordial?

 

[Swordsmyth]

Let's jump on him for not being perfect and discourage this.

 

[RJB]

Watch for a false flag. Everytime he makes a move toward peace, either violence occurs out of nowhere or the media whips up a fury over something that might happen.

 

[TER]

Watch for a false flag. Everytime he makes a move toward peace, either violence occurs out of nowhere or the media whips up a fury over something that might happen.

Yep. Right out of the DS playbook.