Did we just get tricked into going to war with Syria?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 11:20:05 -0400

Here's my theory/question... Was the gas attack in Syria days after President Trump said we were pulling out a false flag event to get us involved in another 15 year COIN war to continue to degrade our air defense capabilities and keep us behind the curve in a possible future peer-to-peer/near-peer conflict with Russia/China/Iran? Thoughts?

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 11 at 2018 11:26 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 11:26:57 -0400

The point of this being??? That we are easier to conquer? What kind of sense does that make?

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Apr 11 at 2018 11:37 AM

SSG Alan Pelletier — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 11:37:41 -0400

Isn't that what you would do?
Keep your neighbors occupied with each other over insignificant events the whole while you're downtown working with the "planning committee?" If so, brilliant strategy...
Otherwise, Assad probably did gas his own people hoping the US would stay. War is profitable for those with the money and power to wield their own ideals. No war, no money.

I recognize this is a bit nihilistic but so long as we don't know the full story what other conclusion can we come up with?

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 11 at 2018 12:30 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 12:30:54 -0400

Interesting theory...maybe you're right. But, America is strange. We respond differently than our enemies expect so many times. So, we "go to war with Syria", and Russia considers it a win because it drains our limited resources? What if Congress and Trump use the false flag for their own purposes...to justify larger defense budgets to pad their own districts' coffers? What if we can learn a lot about Russian systems while we're there, and we keep our pilots skills sharp? Just suggesting that maybe the desired Russian effect, and the number of possible 2nd order/unintended effects, may go different ways.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2018 12:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 12:35:07 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member here's my theory: I think Russia is playing Syria as a pawn to get a war started that they can be involved in. Russia, typically, only successfully operates when it is in a state of war. Russia is immensely interested in Syria as a buffer for the ME, and as their main port w/ access to the rest of the world. If they could goad another country (namely us) into military action against Syria, they can begin military operations. Nothing bolsters an oligarchy's popularity with it's people quite like a 'patriotic war'.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 11 at 2018 6:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:12:04 -0400

Syria is a complex situation. For years the US has been attempting to install democracy in Syria. However, this is complex as the Kurds, Rebels, Russia, Israel, Turkey, Assad forces, US, and ISIS forces have interests in the country.