CBS: Brett McGurk, top U.S. envoy in ISIS fight, resigns
Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, had been planning to exit his post in February 2019. But sources tell CBS News that he informed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he will accelerate his departure due to a strong disagreement with President Trump's snap decision to withdraw 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria, effectively abandoning U.S. allies in the region.
McGurk submitted his resignation on Friday, just one day after Defense Secretary James Mattis quit his post citing fundamental disagreements with the commander-in-chief -- including one over the importance of honoring U.S. alliances.
The special envoy was publicly left in the lurch by the president's sudden declaration on Wednesday that he was pulling U.S. forces out of Syria, against the advice of his top national security advisers and without consulting U.S. allies.
Read more ....
Update: Brett McGurk, special envoy for coalition to defeat ISIS, resigns in protest of Syria decision (NBC).
WNU Editor: I also expect more resignations .... Behind the scenes of the Mattis bombshell: More resignations expected after ‘protest’ exit (FOX News).
10 comments:
So if people disagree with someone's strategy they think it's mature to quit and abandon ship? Cool. ..I always did the same but people called me a punk when I did it. Guess they all were wrong and I was awesome all the time
Anon (12:51PM),
They do seem a bit like spoiled children not getting their way and throwing temper tantrums. Oh well, it is probably better to have them gone. This way people can be brought in whose views are in line with those of POTUS and his remaining team members.
Certain people have often complained that POTUS makes policy with consulting his advisors. Actually the opposite is the case. To many "advisors" and "experts" are conducting rogue foreign policy apart from the duly elected POTUS.
This is nothing less than an attempted coup IMHO. The US and its "allies" have attacked and sanctioned other countries for doing far less. Perhaps they need to sanction themselves!!
Da da comrade
"Da da comrade?" Is this directed at me or at Anon (12:51PM)?
Essentially I replied to this comment and expounded upon it. Do you think it is acceptable for adults to de facto throw temper tantrums and act like spoiled children if they don't get their way? This is essentially what Trump's critics are doing.
They were caught flat footed by the decision to redeploy from Syria because they were to busy conducting rogue foreign policy apart from the duly elected Commander in Chief? Do you think it is acceptable for unelected officials to try and undermine the policies of a duly elected president who is carrying out the foreign policies he campaigned on that got him elected. This is essentially what they are doing. If you accept this, then you are saying that coups against duly elected leaders are acceptable and are essentially spitting in the face of our democratic system.
Do you think it is acceptable to use a stalwart ally such as the Kurds as political props in the political fight against POTUS" This is essentially what these people did. Do you think it acceptable on the part of the Kurdish personnel who used their own as political props in the same manner? Again, this is essentially what they have done.
Do you think the use of media hysteria saying the Kurds are going to get "slaughtered" when there was no evidence to support this and quite a bit of evidence to the contrary essentially trying to fan the flames of hysteria unduly scaring people? They tried to do this. When the Bush Administration tried this with regards to Iraq they were rightly called out on it.
Now if you can or want to contribute something of value to this conversation, please do so. Otherwise don't waste time with "Da da comrade" comments.
B Poster,
I did not write it, but I agree with it.
"Da Da Comrade" is an appropriate comment on your purpose here.
I am happy that McGurk resigned. More appointed bureaucrats should have such conviction.
Trump's strategy might work and keep the Kurds safe. The UAE, Saudis, Qatar are already are already there. They want to play so might as well give them a bigger role and save American strength. Let them get blooded and improved or let them fold.
We need to have a national debate. We need to have a national debate without the press. Especially the press that got us into Somalia with pictures and then lambasted us for being there. Expect for a very small minority, who are war correspondents, they have no skin in the game and no skills.
https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/ours-to-reason-why/
Anon (3:11),
I agreed with the comments of anon (12:51) and expounded on them adding my own thoughts based upon careful research and thoughts.
The response of "da da comrade" is very respectfully childish. To second such an immature response, well if you could elaborate on the flaws in the points presented, this would be helpful.
I will attempt to contribute something productive. Anon (3:20) is spot,on. Expounding upon this Trump's strategy may work. It may not. It is better than the previous strategy that would have continued to wear us down, would have,resulted in a forced withdrawal, and our Kurdish allies would've been in an even more,precarious spot as there would have been nothing we could have done to help them. The Trump approach gives us and the Kurds a fighting chance. I think it'll work. The biggest,problem is Trump's political opponents who'll stop at nothing to undermine him and worse undermine the interests of the American people.
"Save American strength." The current system of "alliances" is sapping that strength. POTUS understands this or seems to. It's great to GINALLY have a POTUS who does.
"We need to have a national debate." We do. When challenged the arguments of Trump critics are weak. As such, their goal is to shut down debate and undermine those trying to achieve good.
It,is good that McGurk is gone. Be gone from us and stay gone!!
"Be gone from us and stay gone!"
That the Russian troll would the same (sigh)
Poster your comment about the Kurds having a fighting chance is now history with our scheduled withdrawal from Syria. Their sacrifice over the years appears to have brought them little in the end.
With several other countries planning to fill our departed shoes in Syria this situation now will have more squabblers and less clarity of purpose other than the shite-sunni divide.
It appears, as WNU editor said, the Russians and others involved will realize new pressures from an allegedly re-strengthening ISIS now that we are not lending our abilities to the struggle. The withdrawal from Afghanistan will benefit the Taliban but I will not speculate to what end.
The Afghanistan pullout is untimely. It is my sense that the Taliban are not as unified, fighting ISIS, and have a weariness with the conflict. The Afghans now have a couple of decent units suitably equipped and growing more so that seem to be successful when backed by Nato and ourselves.
On the other hand, the crooked in Afghanistan will find their incomes not as large with our withdrawal. Same with Pakistan. No tears here. And this may free up others to go after other muzlim areas now that the main focus is departing the area. I'm referring to the "Stans" and Russia. The Chinese stunt in their muzlim area will bring a backlash, I feel, just how extensive will be seen.
Roger,
Thanks for the constructive reply. As I think I have said elsewhere, the plan may not work but I think it is better than us continuing to have our strength sapped.
While your concerns are valid, I'm more optimistic than you as it appears many months have gone into planning this. Also, we can offer as needed to the Kurds and other allies. Bottom line: I think the Kurds are going to be fine albeit they may have to adjust their aspirations a bit to fit with geopolitical reality. They've received mych from us and will likely be receiving even more from us. There's ways we can assist that don't involve direct military aid.
Anon (11:22AM),
I've addressed the "Russian troll" slander directed at me numerous times here. Repeating this lie isn't going to make it true no matter how many times you or anyone else does it. Essentially it is my position that anyone who thinks we need to remain in Syria at this time needs to be gone and stay gone from American foreign policy. To this end, a redeployment plan involving several allied nations has been put forth as the editor linked to. IMHO the plan is a very good one.
Any arguments for remaining in Syria now are weak. I think you know this. As such, you insult and slander me. This is all you have.
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