Year End Reflections, Part II

Syria. The USA has only 2000 troops in Syria. However, claiming that ISIS in Syria has been defeated, and vowing to keep another campaign promise, President Trump ordered the removal of those troops. Respectfully, President Trump, that is a bonehead decision. I agree that the troops should not remain for the purpose of "nation building," and 2000 troops is insufficient for that purpose in any event. Trump: "Why are we fighting for our enemy, Syria, by staying and killing ISIS for them, Russia, Iran and other locals?"

In tendering his resignation, Defense Secretary Mattis thanked Trump for being able to serve, and praised what they were able to accomplish - such as an increased defense budget, and improved readiness of our troops. Then Mattis opined: "...I believe we must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours. It is clear that China and Russia, for example, want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model - gaining veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions - to promote their own interests at the expense of their neighbors, America and our allies. That is why we must use all the tools of American power to provide for the common defense."

Iran will now benefit by having a clear path from Iran to the Mediterranean - through Iraq to Syria and Lebanon/Hezbollah. Our Sunni Arab allies and Israel cannot be happy over this decision, as Iran is a threat to all of them. Russia has sought influence and control over events in the Middle East ever since they were part of the Soviet Union. Neither Trump nor Obama nor Bush (W) understood the threat of Russia. Romney did, but Obama mocked him about it and the mainstream media joined in. Russia already has a base in Syria. Does anyone doubt Russia's desire to stir up trouble everywhere? Think Crimea and Ukraine. Meanwhile, it is a total abandonment of the Kurds, who have been regular allies of the US. Those troops in Syria acted as a deterrent to Turkey, whose Islamist leader would like to declare war on the Kurdish people.

So what will the outcome be? Will Turkey, a NATO member, attack our allies, the Kurds? Will war break out between Iran and their Hezbollah proxies against Israel? Hezbollah is said to have more missiles (all aimed at Israel) than most countries in the world. Will Russia use its increasing presence and influence in the Middle East to "gain veto authority over other nations' economic, diplomatic, and security decisions," as suggested by Mattis? Will ISIS regroup? That small number of US troops sent a clear message that the US had an interest in keeping stability in the Middle East, and preventing bad actors such as Iran and Russia from dominating a large swath of the world. America first should not mean America isolated.

Pittsburgh. Following the horrific massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Jewish journalist Julia Ioffe said this: "A word to my fellow American Jews: This president makes this possible. Here. Where you live. I hope the embassy move over there, where you don't live was worth it." Wow! Let's deconstruct that. The massacre in Pittsburgh was a result of American Jews helping to elect Trump, and supporting the move of the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel's capital city. I mistakenly thought the massacre was carried out by an evil, Jew-hating, may he rot in hell, individual. Why can't American Jews just be proud of Israel, be proud that like every other country in the world, Israel is finally allowed to have recognition of the city that the Israelis have deemed their capital. Jerusalem. Would Ms. Ioffe deny any other country in the world the right to name their capital city?

Chuck Schumer. Okay, most of us would agree that politicians often speak out of both sides of their mouth. When in power, they say one thing. When out of power, they often say the opposite. But it is funny when a politician speaks out of both sides of his mouth in the same sentence. Recall that President Trump accused the Courts of making politically motivated decisions. That, in turn, prompted Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a statement defending the independence of the judiciary. Which, in turn, prompted the Senate Minority Leader to defend Roberts' comments, while declaring: "I don't agree very often with Chief Justice Roberts, especially his partisan decisions which seem highly political, (such as) Citizens United, Janus and Shelby..." Partisan decisions? Which seem highly political? Hmmm.

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? An NPR/PBS/Marist poll found that 56% of adults think people should wish others a "Merry Christmas," with 31% preferring "Happy Holidays," and 11% not caring one way or the other. But only 38% of the 18-29 age group preferred "Merry Christmas." The biggest difference was between Democrats, preferring "Happy Holidays" by 47% with only 42% preferring "Merry Christmas," and an overwhelming number of Republicans, 80%, preferring "Merry Christmas," with only 13% preferring "Happy Holidays." So, Merry Christmas!