# We Have Betrayed the Kurds **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 7, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420 "2019-10-07T14:54:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/1 "2019-10-07T14:54:56Z")
I am sick to my heart. We have handed our allies over to the Turks. There will be a bloodbath. They were fools to trust us. [-=Link=-](https://news.yahoo.com/us-troops-start-pullout-along-064040499.html) ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/2 "2019-10-07T15:06:27Z")
Republicans have been criticizing Trump’s decision - even Lindsey Graham. [Lindsey Graham](https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1181181561045172224): > [@Lindsey Graham](#): > > I don’t know all the details regarding President Trump’s decision in northern Syria. In process of setting up phone call with Secretary Pompeo. > > If press reports are accurate this is a disaster in the making. > … > > - Ensures ISIS comeback. > - Forces Kurds to align with Assad and Iran. > - Destroys Turkey’s relationship with U.S. Congress. > - Will be a stain on America’s honor for abandoning the Kurds. > … > Also, if this plan goes forward will introduce Senate resolution opposing and asking for reversal of this decision. Expect it will receive strong bipartisan support. > … > The most probable outcome of this impulsive decision is to ensure Iran’s domination of Syria. > > The U.S. now has no leverage and Syria will eventually become a nightmare for Israel. > … > I feel very bad for the Americans and allies who have sacrificed to destroy the ISIS Caliphate because this decision virtually reassures the reemergence of ISIS. So sad. So dangerous. > > President Trump may be tired of fighting radical Islam. They are NOT tired of fighting us. > … > Finally, this decision makes it difficult for the U.S. to recruit allies against radical Islam. > … > By abandoning the Kurds we have sent the most dangerous signal possible – America is an unreliable ally and it’s just a matter of time before China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea act out in dangerous ways. [Nikki Haley](https://twitter.com/NikkiHaley/status/1181191973367160834): > [@Nikki Haley](#): > > We must always have the backs of our allies, if we expect them to have our back. The Kurds were instrumental in our successful fight against ISIS in Syria. Leaving them to die is a big mistake. #TurkeyIsNotOurFriend [Sen. Mitt Romney](https://twitter.com/SenatorRomney/status/1181213916740894720): > [@Sen. Mitt Romney](#): > > The President’s decision to abandon our Kurd allies in the face of an assault by Turkey is a betrayal. It says that America is an unreliable ally; it facilitates ISIS resurgence; and it presages another humanitarian disaster. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/3 "2019-10-07T15:09:39Z")
Russia - a win for their client state, Syria Iran - a win, eliminating a threat on their border Turkey - a win, removing the possibility of more support for Turkish Kurds Isis - a win, probably leading to release/escape of captive fighters United States - world humiliation and distrust ---
**Author:** ![Snowcarpet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowcarpet/32/257_2.png) [@Snowcarpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowcarpet)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/4 "2019-10-07T15:13:37Z")
Again. ☹ Short-sighted and cruel, but what can we expect? Argh. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/5 "2019-10-07T15:18:01Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Republicans have been criticizing Trump’s decision - even Lindsey Graham. > > [Lindsey Graham](https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1181181561045172224): > [Nikki Haley](https://twitter.com/NikkiHaley/status/1181191973367160834): > > [Sen. Mitt Romney](https://twitter.com/SenatorRomney/status/1181213916740894720): Uh oh, I hope they’re prepared. Trump is going to tweet on his phone insulting nicknames for all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/6 "2019-10-07T15:23:36Z")
Britain and France, both of whom have military forces in Syria, had [no idea Trump had green-lighted Erdogan’s invasion](https://twitter.com/michaeldweiss/status/1181116864224747520). ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/7 "2019-10-07T15:26:17Z")
I find myself of 2 minds on this one. 1. Yes, we have betrayed the Kurds. He also said the Kurds,have been paid “massive amounts of money and equipment” by the U.S. That is a truly despicable statement. 2. Trump said, “It is time for us to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars, many of them tribal, and bring our soldiers home.” Arguably, he is not wrong about this. It seems to me that once again Trump is doing something that is at least arguably good in the worst possible way and for the worst possible reasons. And in a way that is guaranteed to cause the most amount of harm to others. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/8 "2019-10-07T15:28:55Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > I am sick to my heart. We have handed our allies over to the Turks. There will be a bloodbath. > They were fools to trust us. > [-=Link=-](https://news.yahoo.com/us-troops-start-pullout-along-064040499.html) They were fools to trust us _again_. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/9 "2019-10-07T15:30:51Z")
It’s only a matter of time and 10,000 ISIS fighters will “escape”. I seriously doubt Turkey will keep them secured. It is deeply troubling to see the US turn our backs on an ally. The Kurds have been very reliable and deserve better than this betrayal. I see many Rep Senators are already speaking out. I hope they will get this terrible decision reversed. > **[U.S. pulling troops from northern Syria posts, leaving Kurdish allies to face...](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/syria-withdrawal-lindsey-graham-blasts-us-withdrawing-troops-northern-syria-posts-2019-10-07/)** > > America's Kurdish allies warn U.S. withdrawal from border posts "will have a significant negative impact on our war against ISIS and will destroy any stability that has been achieved" > [@](#): > > The White House statement Sunday said Turkey would take custody of foreign fighters captured in the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS who have been held by the Kurdish forces supported by the U.S. > > The prisoners include about 2,500 highly dangerous foreign fighters from Europe and elsewhere whose native countries have been reluctant to take them back, and another 10,000 or so captured fighters from Syria and Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/10 "2019-10-07T15:45:07Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > They were fools to trust us _again_. Again, again. This is at least the 3rd time in less than 30 years. At this point, the only reliable thing about us asking for their help is the end result being that we hang them out to dry in return. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/11 "2019-10-07T15:48:50Z")
The instances in which we have _not_ betrayed the Kurds have been few and far between, and fleeting, and both preceded and succeeded by disappointing betrayals. I won’t be surprised if Turkey uses the detainees as sort of reverse-hostages: “Europe, give us \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, or else we’ll send your foreign fighters back”. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/12 "2019-10-07T15:58:27Z")
Anyone feel better after Trump’s latest [Tweets](https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1181232249821388801?s=21)? > [@](#): > > As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over… > > …the captured ISIS fighters and families. The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100% of the ISIS Caliphate. It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT! I guess his “_great and unmatched wisdom_” makes it all better now :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/13 "2019-10-07T16:05:30Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Russia - a win for their client state, Syria > Iran - a win, eliminating a threat on their border > Turkey - a win, removing the possibility of more support for Turkish Kurds > Isis - a win, probably leading to release/escape of captive fighters > > United States - world humiliation and distrust Sure, but Hillary Clinton had a private email server. Thumbs up, Trump voters! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/14 "2019-10-07T16:16:03Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Anyone feel better after Trump’s latest [Tweets](https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1181232249821388801?s=21)? > > I guess his “_great and unmatched wisdom_” makes it all better now :dubious: Is there no beginning to his “great and unmatched wisdom”? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/15 "2019-10-07T16:18:07Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Sure, but Hillary Clinton had a private email server. Thumbs up, Trump voters! How will they ever heal if you keep bringing up that painful memory for them? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/16 "2019-10-07T16:23:27Z")
I, for one, am looking forward to the mass uptick in Kurdish terrorism in Turkey following this particular stupidity. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/17 "2019-10-07T16:27:34Z")
“As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). …” Yup. Ol’ boy’s got it together, don’t he? ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/18 "2019-10-07T16:29:34Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Russia - a win for their client state, Syria > Iran - a win, eliminating a threat on their border > Turkey - a win, removing the possibility of more support for Turkish Kurds > Isis - a win, probably leading to release/escape of captive fighters > > United States - world humiliation and distrust Agreed. And add: Kurds - a disastrous loss European allies of USA - you absolutely can’t trust the current US President ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/19 "2019-10-07T16:38:18Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Anyone feel better after Trump’s latest [Tweets](https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1181232249821388801?s=21)? > > I guess his “_great and unmatched wisdom_” makes it all better now :dubious: I went and double-checked this on Twitter, because I can’t tell the difference between parody and Trump anymore. He sounds like he’s playing the Wizard. Not for the first time, I question his fitness for office. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/20 "2019-10-07T16:48:15Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > I, for one, am looking forward to the mass uptick in Kurdish terrorism in Turkey following this particular stupidity. :rolleyes: It’ll be interesting to see Leopards and M60s burning on the side of Syrian roads rather than the regular T-XX trash. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420.md?page=2)