Could 50 U.S. Special Operations Soldiers In Syria Make A Difference?

Anna Mulrine, CSM: How 50 US troops in Syria could actually make a difference (+video)

The US will send 50 Special Operations Forces troops to Syria to coordinate with rebels. Critics call them a token force. But they have a specific mission.

WASHINGTON — The announcement that President Obama has authorized a busload-sized contingent of United States Special Operations Forces to deploy to Syria to “advise and assist” rebel forces has raised questions about what difference 50 people can really make in the Syrian war.

After all, they are essentially arrayed against the Syrian government, with its own army and Russian troops in direct support, not to mention Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. The Islamic State, meanwhile, has thousands of soldiers and a basic government infrastructure at its disposal.

A number of Republican lawmakers have essentially called the Special Forces deployment window dressing. It is “an incremental change that will not change the conditions on the ground,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina in an appearance on MSNBC.

WNU Editor: Their impact is purely symbolic and minimal. They will mainly be used to prop and assist Kurdish forces .... who have already shown a reluctance to wage war in what is known as "Arab" territories or regions. My suspicion is that the real purpose for these forces will be to lay the groundwork for more U.S. military forces to become involved in the future.