Is Trump ordering a retreat ... again?

[jc456]

Exactly what’s the issue you’re trying to address?

The issue is keeping readers informed concerning this matter.

Do you have a problem with that?

what is the matter that you're so concerned with keeping readers informed on?

 

[jc456]

Or is this a change of subject and just another meaningless threat From Trump?

Both have been consistent products of the Trump administration for the past four years.

For the past two weeks Trump has received enormous heat -- even from Republican sources and conservative media -- to quit with his fantasies and acknowledge the realism of the election. There have been righteous accusations that Trump has lost interest in governing and is obsessed with fantasies the election was fraudulent and that he won.

The AP reports, " U.S. officials said military leaders were told over the weekend about the planned withdrawals and that an executive order is in the works but has not yet been delivered to commanders. Officials cautioned that there could always be changes, and Trump is known to make snap decisions based on media reports and online chatter."

Great minds think alike.

still waiting, what is the issue?

 

[Eric Arthur Blair]

What did Putin do?

Putin and Biden sittin' under a tree.
K-i-s-s-i-n-g.

The two are simpatico. Same with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Putin open to working with Biden because his party shares ‘Social Democratic ideas’

 

[JustAGuy1]

We should all remember that Vladimir Putin wanted Trump to be our President, and he helped Trump a great deal in 2016. In terms of dividing America, Trump is doing more than any Russian agent from the FSB (Russian intelligence). Putin is enormously pleased with Trump's performance, not the least of which were Trump's efforts to isolate America and cut us off from our traditional Western allies.

Vladimir Putin must be enormously pleased with Trump as it appears from multiple sources that Trump is ordering still another retreat while in the process of weakening the incoming American President by withholding the transition process.

ABC News reports, "The Pentagon is expecting orders by the end of this week that will reduce troop levels to 2,500 in Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by mid-January, according to two U.S. officials.

"President Donald Trump is expected to issue the orders for the reduction in troop levels in both countries later this week, according to both U.S. officials."

Now we know why Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

The Post reports, " After consulting with senior military officers, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper sent a classified memo to the White House this month expressing concerns about additional cuts, according to two senior U.S. officials familiar with the discussion. Conditions on the ground were not yet right, Esper wrote, citing the ongoing violence, possible dangers to the remaining troops in the event of a rapid pullout, potential damage to alliances and apprehension about undercutting the negotiations.

"Days after Trump lost his reelection bid, he fired Esper. Trump, refusing to concede the election, has since allowed a purge of other top officials for policy and intelligence at the Pentagon serving under Esper, with several hardened loyalists to the president taking their place."

The troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq were to be down to 2,500 each by Jan. 15

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley said recently, "We are unique among armies, we are unique among militaries. We do not take an oath to a king or queen, or tyrant or dictator, we do not take an oath to an individual. No, we do not take an oath to a country, a tribe or a religion."

The top commanders, including CENTCOM and the joints chiefs, agree with Esper. The likely possibility is that the Pentagon will drag its feet -- military withdrawals don't happen overnight -- and, when the President-elect takes office on Jan. 20, he will rescind the order and establish his own policies regarding Afghanistan and Iraq.

In any case, commanders will not be in any hurry to comply with an order with which they sharply disagree and is likely to cost the lives of American troops.

Yep. We made a mistake getting into Afghanistan and Iraq. Now we're going to make another one by pulling out and not having the necessary preventative measure in place to prevent..oh say..another 9/11 if it winds up to that.

Esper memo warned conditions weren't met for withdrawal from Afghanistan

Then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper sent a classified memo earlier this month to the White House asserting that it was the unanimous recommendation of the chain of command that the US not draw down its troop presence in Afghanistan any further until conditions were met, sources familiar with...

www.cnn.com

We've been there for 19 years. You send YOUR kid to die.

 

[Sandy Shanks]

While Putin observes the American retreat in the Middle east and is pleased with Trump's efforts to weaken the incoming President, Trump's withdrawal became official today according to numerous sources and the American Military News.

"Acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller officially announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq by mid-January. Approximately half of U.S. troops will be pulled from Afghanistan, dropping to 2,500, while about 500 troops will be pulled from Iraq, also dropping to 2,500. Approximately 4,500 troops are currently in Afghanistan, while some 3,000 are in Iraq."

The idea that Trump wants to weaken the U.S. as a whole is borne out by the fact that he wanted to start a war with Iran while seeking a withdrawal in Afghanistan and Iraq. Clearly, Trump simply wants stir up trouble. It's his way.

Trump is hiding in the Oval Office, acting much like an emperor, and avoiding the American people.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that, so far, our President, his acting secretary of defense, and his national security advisor are refusing to speak to the American people about these developments.

After Trump's NSA, Robert O'Brien, announced to reporters the wisdom of Trump's decisions and then walked away, a reporter was heard yelling out after him, "How can you and the defense secretary not take questions on a troop withdrawal?

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley said recently, "We are unique among armies, we are unique among militaries. We do not take an oath to a king or queen, or tyrant or dictator, we do not take an oath to an individual. No, we do not take an oath to a country, a tribe or a religion."

With Trump on the way out, obviously the Pentagon did not want to defy the President. However, it is the Pentagon that will actually carry out the withdrawal, which is to be completed by Jan. 15, 2021.

The new President takes office five days later.

Will anyone be shocked if the Pentagon runs into logistical problems, and there is a delay in the withdrawal maneuver? You shouldn't be.

 

[Polishprince]

What's the big deal? If Biden wants to redeploy those troops and more, he will have every opportunity if he seizes power in January?

Are you not confident that he will prevail in the election?

 

[Polishprince]

In any case, commanders will not be in any hurry to comply with an order with which they sharply disagree and is likely to cost the lives of American troops.

It might cost American lives if the men are redeployed in Chicago.

President Trump is committed to reducing US troop presence abroad. He disagrees with the idea of endless war that was promoted by his failed predecessor.

In any event, if Biden takes the oath, he can call for volunteers to march in the middle east, Russia, wherever.

 

[Sandy Shanks]

Why in the world should we "remember" that Russia wanted Trump elected in 2016 when a billion dollar investigation proved that it wasn't true? The weird thing is that the opposite is probably true.

All Trump and his fans have left are their lies and disinformation. They really have no idea what is happening.

A sprawling report released Tuesday by a Republican-controlled Senate panel that spent three years investigating Russia’s interference in the 2016 election laid out an extensive web of contacts between Trump campaign advisers and Kremlin officials and other Russians, including at least one intelligence officer and others tied to the country’s spy services.

G.O.P.-Led Senate Panel Details Ties Between 2016 Trump Campaign and Russia (Published 2020)

A nearly 1,000-page report confirmed the special counsel’s findings at a moment when President Trump’s allies have sought to undermine that inquiry.

www.nytimes.com

Of course, now the Trump fan will say it is all a lie.

The real question is, who is lying?

 

[blackhawk]

Few points first we have been fighting in Afghanistan for nearly twenty years serious U.S. military action in Vietnam began in 1964 and direct involvement ended in 1973 the Korean war went from 1950 to 1953 for WW2 the U.S fought from late 1941- 1945 we have been in Aghanistan longer than these three wars combined. Second when President Obama withdrew all U.S. military forces from Iraq he was praised for that and it was hailed as great leadership. Last as I said we have been in Afghanistan for nearly twenty a years and Iraq for just a couple years less whenwe went into both countries there was an objective and military mission some might have disagreed with them but they were there for both Afghanistan and Iraq what military objectives are we currently trying to achieve? Let me be fair and upfront after the 9-11 attacks I supported invading Afghanistan and in that aftermath I believed there were WMD in Iraq and tthat Sadam could supply terrorist groups with them and supported that invasion as well but after this many years in both countries if you have not accomplished your missions it's highly unlikely you are ever going too and at this point I see no logic in keeping troops there and if this was Joe Biden talking about pulling these troops I would feel the same way.

 

[Sandy Shanks]

The BBC reports, "Senior Republicans and US allies have voiced alarm at the announcement that a large number of American troops will be removed from Afghanistan and Iraq.

"The US is to withdraw 2,500 troops from both countries by mid-January, the US Department of Defense confirmed.

"The head of Nato warned of a "very high price". Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the plan "a mistake".

"Mr McConnell - usually a staunch defender of Mr Trump - also warned the president against making "any earth-shaking changes in regards to defence and foreign policy" before leaving the White House.

This cut in troop numbers will reduce the leverage the Biden administration will have over the Taliban.

"Under the US-Taliban agreement signed in February, all US forces will be withdrawn by May 2021, but, in theory, only if the Taliban fulfill certain conditions. Those don't seem to have been met yet.

"Talks between the Taliban and Afghan officials have finally begun, but progress has been slow, and violence has been intensifying. Meanwhile, many in the intelligence community still have concerns about the Taliban's continuing links with al-Qaeda."

US troops in Afghanistan: Allies and Republicans alarmed at withdrawal plan

Senior Republicans and US allies attack the plan, warning it could lead to a rise in violence.

www.bbc.com

Trump's patron, Vladimir Putin, is extremely pleased with Trump's decision. The U.S. is retreating, and Trump is weakening the incoming President.

What's not to like?

If you are Putin or a Russian sympathizer, I mean.

 

[Agit8r]

Meh. Let Russia and China fight over the Graveyard of Empires. I have a grown daughter who hasn't been around as long as that war has been going on. That's a quagmire if there ever was one.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

The top commanders, including CENTCOM and the joints chiefs, agree with Esper. The likely possibility is that the Pentagon will drag its feet -- military withdrawals don't happen overnight -- and, when the President-elect takes office on Jan. 20, he will rescind the order and establish his own policies regarding Afghanistan and Iraq.

In any case, commanders will not be in any hurry to comply with an order with which they sharply disagree and is likely to cost the lives of American troops.

Yep. We made a mistake getting into Afghanistan and Iraq. Now we're going to make another one by pulling out and not having the necessary preventative measure in place to prevent..oh say..another 9/11 if it winds up to that.

Neocons! Neocons! Cha-cha-cha!

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Russia! Russia! Russia! is not the topic of this thread

 

[kaz]

We should all remember that Vladimir Putin wanted Trump to be our President, and he helped Trump a great deal in 2016. In terms of dividing America, Trump is doing more than any Russian agent from the FSB (Russian intelligence). Putin is enormously pleased with Trump's performance, not the least of which were Trump's efforts to isolate America and cut us off from our traditional Western allies.

Vladimir Putin must be enormously pleased with Trump as it appears from multiple sources that Trump is ordering still another retreat while in the process of weakening the incoming American President by withholding the transition process.

ABC News reports, "The Pentagon is expecting orders by the end of this week that will reduce troop levels to 2,500 in Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by mid-January, according to two U.S. officials.

"President Donald Trump is expected to issue the orders for the reduction in troop levels in both countries later this week, according to both U.S. officials."

Now we know why Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

The Post reports, " After consulting with senior military officers, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper sent a classified memo to the White House this month expressing concerns about additional cuts, according to two senior U.S. officials familiar with the discussion. Conditions on the ground were not yet right, Esper wrote, citing the ongoing violence, possible dangers to the remaining troops in the event of a rapid pullout, potential damage to alliances and apprehension about undercutting the negotiations.

"Days after Trump lost his reelection bid, he fired Esper. Trump, refusing to concede the election, has since allowed a purge of other top officials for policy and intelligence at the Pentagon serving under Esper, with several hardened loyalists to the president taking their place."

The troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq were to be down to 2,500 each by Jan. 15

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley said recently, "We are unique among armies, we are unique among militaries. We do not take an oath to a king or queen, or tyrant or dictator, we do not take an oath to an individual. No, we do not take an oath to a country, a tribe or a religion."

The top commanders, including CENTCOM and the joints chiefs, agree with Esper. The likely possibility is that the Pentagon will drag its feet -- military withdrawals don't happen overnight -- and, when the President-elect takes office on Jan. 20, he will rescind the order and establish his own policies regarding Afghanistan and Iraq.

In any case, commanders will not be in any hurry to comply with an order with which they sharply disagree and is likely to cost the lives of American troops.

We should all remember that Vladimir Putin wanted Trump to be our President, and he helped Trump a great deal in 2016. In terms of dividing America, Trump is doing more than any Russian agent from the FSB (Russian intelligence). Putin is enormously pleased with Trump's performance, not the least of which were Trump's efforts to isolate America and cut us off from our traditional Western allies.

Vladimir Putin must be enormously pleased with Trump as it appears from multiple sources that Trump is ordering still another retreat while in the process of weakening the incoming American President by withholding the transition process.

ABC News reports, "The Pentagon is expecting orders by the end of this week that will reduce troop levels to 2,500 in Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by mid-January, according to two U.S. officials.

"President Donald Trump is expected to issue the orders for the reduction in troop levels in both countries later this week, according to both U.S. officials."

Now we know why Trump fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

The Post reports, " After consulting with senior military officers, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper sent a classified memo to the White House this month expressing concerns about additional cuts, according to two senior U.S. officials familiar with the discussion. Conditions on the ground were not yet right, Esper wrote, citing the ongoing violence, possible dangers to the remaining troops in the event of a rapid pullout, potential damage to alliances and apprehension about undercutting the negotiations.

"Days after Trump lost his reelection bid, he fired Esper. Trump, refusing to concede the election, has since allowed a purge of other top officials for policy and intelligence at the Pentagon serving under Esper, with several hardened loyalists to the president taking their place."

The troop levels in Afghanistan and Iraq were to be down to 2,500 each by Jan. 15

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley said recently, "We are unique among armies, we are unique among militaries. We do not take an oath to a king or queen, or tyrant or dictator, we do not take an oath to an individual. No, we do not take an oath to a country, a tribe or a religion."

The top commanders, including CENTCOM and the joints chiefs, agree with Esper. The likely possibility is that the Pentagon will drag its feet -- military withdrawals don't happen overnight -- and, when the President-elect takes office on Jan. 20, he will rescind the order and establish his own policies regarding Afghanistan and Iraq.

In any case, commanders will not be in any hurry to comply with an order with which they sharply disagree and is likely to cost the lives of American troops.

I keep telling you to stop sticking forks into outlets