US Promises $100M In Aid To Syrian Opposition, Saudi Sees Assad's Future As Sticking Point

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

By ADAM SCHRECK Associated Press
First Posted: October 31, 2015 - 1:45 pm
Last Updated: October 31, 2015 - 1:45 pm



MANAMA, Bahrain — The United States ramped up its support for Syria's opposition with a pledge of nearly $100 million in fresh aid on Saturday. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's top diplomat described the timing of the departure of Syrian President Bashar Assad and the withdrawal of foreign fighters as top sticking points to finding a lasting resolution to the civil war in Syria.

Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the additional assistance at the Manama Dialogue security conference in the Gulf island nation of Bahrain, where discussion of Syria dominated the gathering of mostly Western and Arab officials.

The American promise of cash, which it says brings to nearly $500 million the amount it has pledged to the opposition since 2012, came a day after the U.S. announced it was intensifying its fight against the Islamic State group in Syria with the deployment of up to 50 special operations troops.

It also coincided with the completion of international talks in Vienna to pursue a new peace effort involving Syria's Iranian-backed government and opposition groups. The negotiations left open the thorny question of when Assad might leave power, and it was unclear whether he or disparate rebel groups fighting to topple him would sign on to any peace proposal.

Read more: http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/5d0c063fb347430a9a7ddc64002bb617/ML--Syria-Diplomacy

[forest444]

1. Right. Like the last time they blew billions on "moderate" Syrian militias.

The ones now known as ISIS.

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/syrian-patriarch-aid-given-to-moderates-is-taken-by-extremists

[Plucketeer]

2. Has ANYONE here on DU

been asked if we think the craziness in the Middle East is being carried out as WE see fit? My senators, my congressdunce, my president - NONE of them have ever asked if I thought that pouring blood and treasure down these bottomless holes is a wise pursuit. The billions - neigh - trillions that have nothing to show for but more of the same - couldn't I just hold back on the few thousand I ante up each April 15th?
I'm arguing to get a couple hundred bucks a month compensation for physical woes I endured by volunteering to go stem the Red Menace in Vietnam. But we can literally throw billions to the wind in places I have NO interests in while not giving one shit about how our populace feels about it as a whole.

I'd LOVE to immigrate to Mexico if it weren't for the cauldron of horror we've turned that once peaceful place into. Canada won't take me and it's too cold there anyway. And I wouldn't CARE if the leaders there didn't ask me before they intervened in other continent's business, because they don't do that anyway!

[Backwoodsrider]

4. no no they are not just tossing the money in a whole

The US gov knows exactly where that money is going and to who. Money makes the world go round... and lack of money is a way of salvation

[odd_duck]

5. By doing this....

$100M In Aid To Syrian Opposition (our terrorists), we are now "officially" a state-sponsor of terrorism.

[killbotfactory]

6. No no, they are moderate rebels who want democracy...

...who just happen to be fighting along side islamic jihadists.

[snappyturtle]

7. I guess it's OK that there are children in the U.S. who are going to bed

Last edited Sun Nov 1, 2015, 02:00 PM - Edit history (1)

hungry and, in some cases homeless to boot. Enough is enough! To hell with the State Dept.

[markmyword]

13. $100 million for What?

Why are we spending OUR tax dollars on Syria?

Seniors this year are not getting an increase in benefits , but contributions to medicare are going up! Plus many expenses a senior needs like, eyes, dental, hearing aids aren't covered by Medicare!
The middle class are being taxed and taxed and and the rich pay no taxes!

Many people getting government benefits are losing them, yet we can find millions for another countries wars! Think food stamps, disability, preschool, etc.

Our infrastructure is falling apart and yet we can find $100 million dollars for Syria!

Why are we the world's policeman? It's not our job and I'm sick and tired of pouring money into other countries when we need the money here to help our own people!

How about paying off or forgiving ALL the student loans out there? Our government is making $85 billion dollars in interest off those student loans! Obviously student loan interest is helping pay for a Syrian war!

[snappyturtle]

14. Did I miss something? Has Assad threatened the petro dollar? I don't get it either. Now the Senate

has voted to rob Social Security .... again. I wish they'd 'rob' the defense budget. imho

Welcome to DU!

[Sunlei]

8. I read somewhere today, Russia wants a oil pipeline from Russia through Syria. I've wondered why Ru

why Russia even gives crap about Assad except to sell them Russia military junk and use Syrias main shipping sea port.

I bet it's more than just the port, it's oil AGAIN, oil from Russia to the middle east. Russia needs more oil export business, its their main resource. Other Middle Eastern countries have traditionally supplied the oil to those areas, not Russia.

I don't think we should support any oil deals for any country except our own.

[CJCRANE]

10. That's not correct. Saudi Arabia and Qatar want a natural gas pipleine through Syria to Turkey

but Syria has agreed to a pipeline from Iran instead.

[newthinking]

12. Syria is in their backyard. Imagine if this happened in Southern Mexico.

[McKim]

9. Thank You Snappy Turtle!

Thank you Snappy Turtle, for reminding us all just what we are not getting with our tax dollars! On the way to church last Sunday we found every storefront that was indented and covered had homeless people sleeping in it. People can't afford to feed their children. We are in a sad state in this country. Why aren't people more angry and active?

[snappyturtle]

15. To answer your question, I think the American people are weary...weary of chasing the American

dream that doesn't materialize and weary of wars and weary of struggling to keep some semblance of a life together. If we protest we get tazed, tear gassed and/or kettled or worse still, labeled of being anti- something. That's all I can think of for now.

Welcome to DU!

[CJCRANE]

11. So we're allied with a bunch of islamist monarchies

in order to bring democracy to secular governments.

How's that going to work?

It didn't seem to work in Libya or Iraq.