Help me debunk: Obama funding ISIS

[eissa]

As I am part of the minority community being targeted by ISIS in Iraq and Syria, this issue is a major hot-button in my circle these days. For the past couple of days, friends, family and FB have been bombarded with articles claiming the Obama administration is funding ISIS.

Yes, I know we're funding the "moderates" (which doesn't exist in the opposition, but that's another story.) Yes, I know the POTUS doesn't have the power to just shell out aid willy-nilly to whomever he likes. Yes, I realize that trying to reason with right-wing nuts trying to exploit the current events is pointless. HOWEVER, there are many who, out of genuine fear and ignorance of how politics truly works, actually believe this.

I've tried searching for articles that outright debunk this specifically, but haven't had any luck. Any resourceful DUers out there willing to lend a hand?

[TheKentuckian]

1. It is probably true, who do you think the "moderates" are and if they aren't exactly the same

history indicates they are likely to prove no better and plausibly worse.

Our track record with such efforts is beyond piss poor and the only thing generating faith of some magical different outcome is Obamawashing.

Hell, you know there aren't any "moderates" so what does that tell you about the entire premise?

[TwilightGardener]

2. It's a rumor spread by both Russian propagandists (because Putin doesn't want

United States involved in Syria, arming rebels against Assad) and by the right wing. My impression was that we may have inadvertently supported or trained a few rebels that turned out to be ISIS, but overall, the Obama WH has been very wary about supporting the rebels until they could be properly vetted and not part of either ISIS or al-Nusra. Qatar and Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, had no qualms about distributing money or weapons to anyone who would fight Assad. The US's stance is that we should try to assert some control over who gets what over there, and thus our involvement in Jordan with these rebels. I have not seen any legitimate media claim that the US has intentionally supported ISIS, or unintentionally supported it in a significant way.

[GeorgeGist]

3. What articles?

For the past couple of days, friends, family and FB have been bombarded with articles claiming the Obama administration is funding ISIS.

[MineralMan]

4. So, can you link to some of those articles?

That would help.

[eissa]

5. Here's one article

Every article has been from some dubious, conservative source, and I've told everyone that numerous times. It would just be easier if I could find something debunking this, and so far Politifact and Snopes has nothing.

http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2014/07/25/obama-asks-for-500-million-to-fund-isis-in-syria/

[Ford_Prefect]

6. The source you cite above has no facts or references, just a screed based on assumptions.

I am sure the US has indeed been funding some of the "rebel" activities in Syria. I am certain that the CIA and others in the invisible government have been playing fast and loose with the truth about who is whom and what they believe and have been doing. I am equally sure that the President is only aware of what "they" want him to know. The practice of funding insurgent forces in the ME and elsewhere is applied by many interested parties. Those with agendas and money to express them with include elements of the Saudi, Israeli, Qatar, Iranian, French, United States (and probably Chinese) governments.
I have no doubt that Oil interests along with the arms industry and right wing political factions on several continents have been supplying cash and political influence to support armed resistance to Assad without worrying too much about possible side effects down the line.

There are many players in the mix here. There has been international interference in Syrian internal politics for several decades. To assert that President Obama is the principle source of funding for ISIS ignores the history of the region and the local actors whom have been stirring the pot in Syria for years.