# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/101 "2019-10-09T14:19:54Z")
Fox News is reporting the US military has been ordered by Trump not to assist the Kurds. > > > Lucas Tomlinson @LucasFoxNews ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/102 "2019-10-09T14:23:46Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Fox News is reporting the US military has been ordered by Trump not to assist the Kurds. > > [https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1181929592254283784?s=20](https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1181929592254283784?s=20) But wasn’t he going to destroy the Turkish economy if they did this? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/103 "2019-10-09T14:32:09Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > But wasn’t he going to destroy the Turkish economy if they did this? Right after he gets done repealing and replacing Obamacare. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/104 "2019-10-09T15:55:52Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Fox News is reporting the US military has been ordered by Trump not to assist the Kurds. > > [https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1181929592254283784?s=20](https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1181929592254283784?s=20) If “assist the Kurds” with air support and a no-fly zone means that we go to war with a NATO “ally”, I’m not the least bit surprised that the President told them not to. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/105 "2019-10-09T16:10:57Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > But wasn’t he going to destroy the Turkish economy if they did this? He was planning on building a wall between Syria and Turkey and making Turkey pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/106 "2019-10-09T16:17:23Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If “assist the Kurds” with air support and a no-fly zone means that we go to war with a NATO “ally”, I’m not the least bit surprised that the President told them not to. I think you got this totally backwards. It’s Turkey who is starting a war. Can I ask, since you are a Trump supporter, does some of your acceptance of Trump’s authoritarian streaks as just sort of “there he goes again” carry over into your opinions of other authoritarian leaders around the world? I mean, here we are where Erdogan is starting a war with the groups that beat the shit out of ISIS at our behest, and you don’t seem very concerned with Erdogan at all. I’m curious as to whether you see yourself giving him the benefit of the doubt since he has some Trump-like characteristics. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/107 "2019-10-09T16:20:16Z")
> [@Mr.Lebodnik](#): > > If it can be done, I think the Kurds in Syria should try to reach some sort of an agreement with the Syrian government. Perhaps some sort of semi-autonomous region. What do the Kurds have to negotiate with? The only asset the Kurds had was American support and they just lost that. Turkey will be able to just take everything they want. All the Kurds can offer is a surrender. > [@Mr.Lebodnik](#): > > It IS a betrayal of the Kurds, however I suppose it had to happen sometime (the U.S. leaving). > Overall though, it was and is extremely unwise to get too involved in Middle Eastern affairs, on anyones side. > The whole region always was and likely always will be an absolute mess. Conflict there is forever. I agree. I said it was a mistake for America to get involved in Syria back when Obama sent troops there. It was a conflict between a brutal dictatorship and religious fanatics; there was no good side for us to fight for. Obama was being unrealistic in thinking he could impose some third alternative. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/108 "2019-10-09T16:24:48Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I think you got this totally backwards. It’s Turkey who is starting a war. No, I’m crystal clear on who is starting the war. We’re simply not going to intervene on the other (Kurd) side, by bombing Turks or shooting down Turkish jets. That’s not remotely realistic. > [@Ravenman](#): > > … you don’t seem very concerned with Erdogan at all. … I think Erdogan is a piece of shit and I deeply wish the coup against him had succeeded. I suppose now I’ll get called anti-democracy or some shit. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/109 "2019-10-09T16:44:19Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I suppose now I’ll get called anti-democracy or some shit. I don’t think that’s the case. Throughout this whole thread you’ve seemed ambivalent as to whether Turkey killing Kurds is a problem for you. Thanks for clearing it up. ---
**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 9, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/110 "2019-10-09T17:29:18Z")
Moron Trump says that the attack he greenlit [is a “bad idea”](https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1181978838865207297). ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/111 "2019-10-09T20:26:08Z")
[Daniel Dale](https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1182024026069389314), CNN, brings the latest from Trump: > [@](#): > > For his decision on Syria, Trump says, “We’ve had tremendous support” outside of “the little Washington area.” > … > Trump is emphasizing the history of conflict between Turkey and the Kurds, suggesting it can’t be contained by the US forever. “It’s amazing when you look at history and you look at culture,” he says. > … > Asked about the possibility of ISIS escapees, Trump says “Well, they’re going to be escaping to Europe.” ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/112 "2019-10-09T20:39:29Z")
Like the fucking moron has ever ‘looked’ at history and culture. ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/113 "2019-10-09T20:40:45Z")
[More](https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1182031313609596932): > [@](#): > > Trump says Turkey and the Kurds is like Israel and the Palestinians, in terms of how old and strong the hatred is, except maybe the hatred is even stronger. > … > Trump on the Kurds: “They didn’t help us in the Second World War, they didn’t help us with Normandy.” He says they’re only interested in fighting for “their land.” He adds, “With all of that being said, we like the Kurds.” > … > Trump says he goes to Dover Air Force base to greet slain soldiers “when I can.” Telling a detailed story, he says that families smile when they see him and thank him for coming, and he thought they were taking the death “so well,” but then the coffin comes and they “scream.” ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/114 "2019-10-09T20:45:14Z")
Why won’t the callous bastard just fucking die, already? ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/115 "2019-10-09T20:46:34Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [More](https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/1182031313609596932): I can’t imagine a more nightmarish scenario than being at Dover to see the transfer of my loved one’s remains & finding out I have to also meet an extremely public figure in the midst of it. ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/116 "2019-10-09T20:50:50Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > I can’t imagine a more nightmarish scenario than being at Dover to see the transfer of my loved one’s remains & finding out I have to also meet an extremely public figure in the midst of it. Will need to read an exact transcript of what Trump said to see whether they called him “sir”. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/117 "2019-10-09T21:10:46Z")
Won’t _anybody_ think of Trump Towers Istanbul? If Trump doesn’t let Erdoğan bomb the hell out of the people who did all of our heavy lifting against ISIS, who’s to say what might happen to Trump Towers Istanbul? Selfish libtards! :mad: ---
**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 9, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/118 "2019-10-09T21:27:39Z")
Turkey to be hit with sanctions. [Sen. Chris Van Hollen](https://twitter.com/ChrisVanHollen/status/1182034387145302016): > [@](#): > > Today @LindseyGrahamSC and I are announcing a framework for sanctions against Turkey to respond to their military operation in northeastern Syria, which is already underway. These sanctions will have immediate, far-reaching consequences for Erdogan and his military. > … > Our bill includes sanctions on: > → Turkey’s political leadership > → Military transactions with Turkey > → Turkey’s domestic energy sector > > It will also: > → Prohibit U.S. military support for Turkey > → Trigger 2017 CAATSA sanctions > → Restrict U.S. visas for Turkish leadership ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/119 "2019-10-09T21:37:01Z")
Gotta be signed by Dotard, right? And they probably should pass this with a veto-proof tally (which probably won’t be hard, but still, it raises the bar a bit higher). ---
**Author:** ![MaverocK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420/120 "2019-10-09T21:37:03Z")
IMHO, Erdogan started this operation because in Turkey the economy is going worse and he needs to gain “nationalist” votes. BTW, Kurdistan Workers Party is not a nice organisation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-betrayed-the-kurds/841420.md?page=7)