Trump defended Turkey this morning, claiming they’ve been a good partner to him and they are in good standing with NATO:
…..good health, at my request, Pastor Brunson, who had many years of a long prison term remaining. Also remember, and importantly, that Turkey is an important member in good standing of NATO. He is coming to the U.S. as my guest on November 13th. #ENDENDLESSWARS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
Turkey may technically be in good standing with NATO, but no one in NATO is happy about Turkey buying a Russian missile defense system. Which is why Congress but the kibosh on the sale of F-35s to Turkey.
Trump then defended his decision to pull out of Northern Syria, saying that we are not abandoning the Kurds, but rather are helping them financially and supplying them with weapons:
We may be in the process of leaving Syria, but in no way have we Abandoned the Kurds, who are special people and wonderful fighters. Likewise our relationship with Turkey, a NATO and Trading partner, has been very good. Turkey already has a large Kurdish population and fully….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
….understands that while we only had 50 soldiers remaining in that section of Syria, and they have been removed, any unforced or unnecessary fighting by Turkey will be devastating to their economy and to their very fragile currency. We are helping the Kurds financially/weapons!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
Trump also restates his threat to devastate Turkey’s economy if they engage in any “unforced or unnecessary fighting”, but I’m not sure how much consolation that will be to the Kurds who will likely be fighting for their lives as Erdogan’s conquest of northern Syria continues now unabated.
Regarding our support for the Kurds with weapons and money, I just don’t see how this is going to be enough to keep the Kurds safe from Erdogan and the military might of Turkey. While it’s good that we are giving them weapons, it was the threat of US intervention that protected them from Turkey. And now that appears to be off the table.