Obama: We Will Keep Backing Syrian Opposition

[Purveyor]

Source: CNN

By Jim Acosta and Eugene Scott CNN
Published 10/03 2015 11:22AM
Updated 10/03 2015 11:22AM

WASHINGTON (CNN)

President Barack Obama told his national security team this week that the U.S. will continue to support the Syrian opposition as Russia enters into the conflict, a senior administration official said Saturday.

"President Obama was clear that we intend to continue our efforts to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL in Syria and to keep supporting the moderate Syrian opposition," the official said.

The White House had multiple national security meetings this week on Syria, the official added.

But the official declined to comment on what steps are being taken to support the opposition, citing "operational security."

Read more: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/obama-we-will-keep-backing-syrian-opposition

[brooklynite]

1. Just for the oil, right gang?

[Javaman]

2. so what happens when russian and american planes get in the way of each other?

I know, they will just dip their wings, and nod a cheerio to each other, right?

[Puzzledtraveller]

6. We'll fly above them and take polaroid photos

while flipping them the bird.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

8. What are the chances that Fox "neas" has provided us footage of

event you say?

[Puzzledtraveller]

9. Lol.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

11. I believe Lt. O'reilly was in charge of this one. nt

[David__77]

3. On the ground, what are these forces and where do they actually hold power?

That is something I'm unclear on. My understanding is that a coalition including Nusra holds power in parts of Idlib - I wonder if this coalition is included in "moderate opposition." Or, alternatively, does the "moderate opposition" not actually hold power anywhere on the ground, outside of military base camps. It would be good, I think, to be able to point to some area where the "moderate opposition" holds power.

I mention Nusra because I have concern about the US supporting Nusra or groups that ally with Nusra. Certainly, at least, if the US is going to do so, I think the explicit rationale should be given to the public.

[WinkyDink]

4. Because ridding the world of strong-men leaders has worked out so well. Not.

[840high]

7. ...+1

[Puzzledtraveller]

5. There is no Syrian opposition

in as much as they are nothing more than extremists.

[Rafale]

10. Did anyone tell the President the Syrian opposition is the Islamic State?

Oh great. So we are applying the same strategy that left Libya a breeding ground for Islamic State and a refugee crisis for southern Europe. We supported the opposition against Gaddafi as I recall. Our foreign policy seems insane. <smh>

Here comes another war I have to fight. Great. <smh>

[MowCowWhoHow III]

12. There may be trouble ahead...

U.S.-backed Syrian rebels appeal for antiaircraft missiles

BEIRUT — U.S.-backed rebels in Syria appealed to the Obama administration Friday for anti­aircraft missiles to defend their positions against relentless Russian airstrikes that have so far mostly targeted the moderate opposition to President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

A joint statement issued by the United States and other Western allies who have collectively aided moderate rebel units urged Russia to stop targeting moderate rebels and “to focus its efforts on fighting ISIL,” the acronym referring to the Islamic State.

U.S. officials indicated that there is no immediate plan to offer additional assistance to the rebel units that have been armed and trained under a covert CIA-led program aimed at supporting moderate groups and weakening Assad’s hold on power.

The covert operation is separate from a much-publicized Pentagon program to train a force to fight the Islamic State that has so far produced no more than four or five loyal fighters, and it is widely credited with having helped rebel advances­ over the past six months in the areas now being targeted by the Russians.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-warplanes-strike-deep-inside-islamic-states-heartland/2015/10/02/ace6dfcc-6866-11e5-bdb6-6861f4521205_story.html

If we're going to make massive strategic errors, can we at least make original ones ?