General Austin: Only '4 or 5' US-Trained Syrian Rebels Fighting ISIS

[ellisonz]

23. If this is all the case, why is there a campaign already underway in Iraq and Syria?

I am not suggesting war with the Turks or major boots on the ground in Syria (special forces are already deploying in Syria via Iraq). I am suggesting firm diplomacy backed by muscle with an agreed upon peace plan to remove bad actors, create a stalemate and then divide the country into zones under mandate (see Yugoslavia). There are already capable units fighting both ISIS (the Kurds) and Assad (moderate rebels in Aleppo and the South). These groups have complained bitterly about a lack of American military support despite there being strong consensus the US has the existing military infrastructure to carry out these missions. Additionally, you're overlooking what Jordan and Iraq offer in terms of places to use for close air support, arms distribution and training.

The position against a Kurdish autonomous zone is unacceptable.

The position against zones safe from the Assad regime is also unacceptable.

The West better get its plan together or this will only get worse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_intervention_against_ISIL