What's left to lose?

Submitted by Jeff (United States), Oct 14, 2017 at 15:55

Hi Michael,

Thank you for the points you raise and the links you provided.

In all fairness, a lot of what you describe is part of trends that developed long before the 10 month old presidency of Donald Trump. The middle east quickly noticed in Chechnya that the Russians, unlike Americans, unlike Israelis, actually fire back at militias hiding behind women and children. And with considerable firepower. The uselessness of the human shield, a spectacular success elsewhere, begat a relationship with the Russians based on fear and respect. They have neither for the USA. Two preoccupied presidents, Nixon and Ford, did nothing when Turkey invaded Cyprus. Carter went around the world on his knees begging people who hate us to please be our friends. Ronald Reagan (or at least his underlings) thought he could pay ransom for Iranian hostages in Lebanon and that wouldn't encourage more hostage taking. Obama backed the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, drew redlines and looked the other way as they were crossed, paid more ransom to Iran than Reagan could have dreamed of and was more concerned with the bad behavior of illiterate crusaders of 1000 years ago than the then current behavior of the ISIS jayvee team. Many of Erdogan's steps toward dictatorship occurred while enjoying his "special relationship" with Mr. Obama, who seemed like an exited schoolboy showing off his cool new friend. The Russia-Syria-Iran-Hezbollah alliance that Erdogan looks interested in joining also formed during the term of Mr. Trump's predecessor.

I'm not sure how much middle east there is left for President Trump to lose.

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