WASHINGTON — When the Pentagon pulled the plug last month on its plan to train and field a force of moderate Syrians to combat the Islamic State, it had spent $384 million, or $2 million per fighter, for a program that produced dismal results, according to interviews and spending figures obtained by USA TODAY.
The Pentagon had tabbed $500 million in 2015 for the effort and promised to graduate 3,000 trained and equipped New Syrian Forces fighters this year, and 5,000 annually thereafter to combat the Islamic State, also known as ISIL.
The program was suspended after $384 million had been spent. Of the 180 Syrians vetted, trained and equipped, 145 fighters remain in the program. Of those, 95 are in Syria today. Two of the four training camps the Pentagon designated for the program in the Middle East never hosted a recruit.
WNU Editor: As to what happened to thee "moderate Syrian rebels" .... it appears that they have joined the Al Qaeda linked group Al-Nusra .... ‘Moderate’ Syrian rebels being absorbed by Nusra Front – US State Dept (RT).
More News On The Cost Of The Failed U.S. Syrian-Rebel Training Program
Failed Syrian rebel training program cost US taxpayers $2 million per fighter – report -- RT
Little Gold Men? Pentagon Spent $2 Mln Per Fighter in Failed Syrian Program -- Sputnik
Pentagon's Failed Syrian Training Program Reportedly Cost $2 Million Per Trainee -- IBTimes
Pentagon Program to Train Syrians Cost $2 Million Per Fighter, Report Says -- Time
6 comments:
They can't have a positive impact on what is going on in Syria so they do what they can to complicate matters for the Russians who are now, at least trying. When the US failed to directly support the Kurds successfully fighting ISIS their true worth and intention was revealed. Keep the pot brewing.
When I worked for the federal government in D.C. I was told that I was not authorized to have a desk lamp, hand calculator, or pens issued to me. Apparently I was working for the wrong organization. Perhaps I would have received these items and more had I left my desk, walked to the National Mall, and waited for a parachute drop!
2 million per trainee, really! They could give me, oh I don't know, say $200,000.00 and I'll say really really negative things about ISIS in public forums. That would save them a lot of money and would be twice as effective.
James,
That's cost per trainee, not salary.
$201 million, roughly 46% of costs, went to "contracted services" and PMC's,
The overall number is probably even higher when you add in contractor profit margins to the weapons, ammo and comm gear.
Reportedly, the "moderates" were paid $800 a month.
ISIS reportably pays $1500 a month, plus all the women and children you can enslave and all the loot that you can carry.
I know it's not salary.
James,
So you can see then that the program was in fact, highly successful.
It easily, and with very little oversight or complaint, moved millions of taxpayers dollars into offshore Corporate coffers.
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