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For years we've snuggled up with the radical-Muslim funding Saudis while fighting those very same radical Muslims.
I have to wonder if America's foreign policy left hand will ever be introduced to its foreign policy right hand.
The US standard of living depends on the petrodollar. The petrodollar depends on Saudi Arabia. Sooner or later the petrodollar will move to a basket of international currencies with an impact on the US standard of living.
Saddam/ Iraq made it clear it was going to trade oil in currencies other than petrodollar and in doing so became a target, awaiting an opportunity to invade. Bin Laden was born to the vast wild and crazy Saudi Royal family where a single man might father 40-100 children over a lifetime. The majority of 9/11 hijackers held Saudi passports.yet the US decided to invade Iraq and take out its leader and disrupt the country.
Israel is the single greatest beneficiary of US financial/ military aid to protect them from their hostile neighbors. At the same time, US has provided foreign military aid and/ or sells weapons to Israel's enemies. Seems keeping everyone in the region at eachother's throat works in the favor of the US lifestyle.
Bush 2 once said something along the lines of how it was necessary to hold your nose when working in the Middle East.
I'm still trying to figure out why so many in these forums who would tell you the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim still believe fighting to bring better lives and democracy to Iraqis was the right thing to do.
Why do you think Iraq had anything to do with creating better lives and establishing a democracy for the people of Iraq? This is the BS we are expected to swallow to justify invasion of other countries. Saddam had previously decided to trade oil in currency other than the petrodollar/ USD. The US standard of living depends on the petrodollar. In doing so he became a target, waiting for an opportunity. Somehow, 9/11 became the opportunity to strike.
The Bush Admin and Iraq agreed to begin withdrawal of US troops in 12/2007 and conclude no later than 12/2012. Iraq was not open to an extension. And the final troops were withdrawn on schedule.
The US spent years at a cost of $ trillion a year ( when interest on the incremental debt and VA benefits are included in the cost of war) training the Iraqi military. The US left its war toys behind when it departed. When the bad guys came, the Iraqi military shed its uniforms and hid, less those who were aligned with the opposition.
If this is true then who wants Assad out of power? Folks that I know say Turkey and Saudi Arabia. These same people I know who are Christian Syrians support Assad. A documentary (Frontline) stated the same thing, that most Syrians support Assad. However, the US, it appears, wants Assad removed as much as they want ISIS removed. Something seems amiss. I believe the American people are not getting the full story of what is really going on in Syria.
Truer words never spoken, and you can expand that to the entire ME.
One sure way to know that someone is spouting BS is that the spouter claims it is simple.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
11,974 posts, read 25,480,204 times
Reputation: 12187
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmking
If this is true then who wants Assad out of power? Folks that I know say Turkey and Saudi Arabia. These same people I know who are Christian Syrians support Assad. A documentary (Frontline) stated the same thing, that most Syrians support Assad. However, the US, it appears, wants Assad removed as much as they want ISIS removed. Something seems amiss. I believe the American people are not getting the full story of what is really going on in Syria.
ISIS gets money from selling oil in its territory and from the usual Arabia peninsula suspects.
Who supports them? Most Sunnis who live in the Syrian interior and felt like second class citizens. The war started when Assad had the army starting shooting protestors. But most ISIS fighters are Muslims from non Muslim countries who never fit in in their new societies. ISIS gives them the same thing a narco gang gives disaffected young men: power, self esteem, purpose, sex, and a promise of heaven.
Assad supporters are mostly Shia Alawites and Christians who live along the Syrian coast. That's why militant Shia groups like Hezbollah and Iran are aiding Assad. They fear genocide if the rebels win. I assume Russia is backing Assad because of business ties.
This conflict is not going away anytime soon. Lebanon will probably collapse first. That would mean Israel fighting side by side with Hezbollah against ISIS and Al Qaeda.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
11,974 posts, read 25,480,204 times
Reputation: 12187
Quote:
Originally Posted by middle-aged mom
Why do you think Iraq had anything to do with creating better lives and establishing a democracy for the people of Iraq? This is the BS we are expected to swallow to justify invasion of other countries. Saddam had previously decided to trade oil in currency other than the petrodollar/ USD. The US standard of living depends on the petrodollar. In doing so he became a target, waiting for an opportunity. Somehow, 9/11 became the opportunity to strike.
The Bush Admin and Iraq agreed to begin withdrawal of US troops in 12/2007 and conclude no later than 12/2012. Iraq was not open to an extension. And the final troops were withdrawn on schedule.
The US spent years at a cost of $ trillion a year ( when interest on the incremental debt and VA benefits are included in the cost of war) training the Iraqi military. The US left its war toys behind when it departed. When the bad guys came, the Iraqi military shed its uniforms and hid, less those who were aligned with the opposition.
There's no way around it, removing Saddam was a disaster, and it isn't all Obama's fault. If a new Saddam (secular, stable, tough guy) came into power now we'd be praising God. Bush's NeoCons broke the vase and there's not enough super glue in the world to put it back together. Quite frankly most of our Middle East activities back fire. We should let them do their thing and if there are minority groups getting exterminated that we like we should take them in (especially Christians and Yezedis)
I don't thing any America sitting in their recliner should judge the Iraqi Army for cutting and running. Maybe they think the central govt isn't worth defending? It's their business.
I read that they have over a trillion dollars in wealth. If not they are still getting some big help from someone. Who is buying their oil. Where do they get their arms. It takes millions of dollars to support an army in war. Someone has to be giving them help. They must be getting some intelligence info from somewhere. Who is behind them and why?
Other than obambo?
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