Turkey is sending the United States “conflicting signals” about its operation against Kurdish forces in northwestern Syria, raising concerns in Washington.
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“Threats to our forces are not something we can accept.” That’s what the unraveling U.S. relationship with “NATO partner” Turkey has come to: military brinkmanship.
Continue on for the United Nations press release (summary) and a link to the full report.
"In December 1967, an American Navy vessel called the Pueblo departed Pearl Harbor, heading for Yokosuka, Japan."
“The military offensive is reminding Kurds how little global powers need them now that the fight against Islamic State is coming to an end.”
"A government watchdog suggested that Congress might want to prohibit the DoD from spending money on Afghan military units whose members sexually abuse children."
"A lack of leadership and a reluctance to move aggressively against potential attackers are responsible for the worst spate of United Nations peacekeeping fatalities."
Over the weekend, Turkish troops launched an aerial and ground assault on American-allied Kurdish militias in Syria. Here is what you need to know.
"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed Monday to keep up an offensive against U.S.-backed Kurdish militias in Syria, rejecting American calls for restraint."
"In the battle against the Islamic State, among the most deadly have been the Kurdish formations."
"Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he argued against President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan war strategy that set dates for the drawdown of U.S. troops."
"The Navy’s decision to level criminal charges against the commanding officers of the destroyers Fitzgerald and McCain is forcing the surface warfare world into a grim reckoning."
"Turkey on Saturday launched a new air and ground operation to oust a Kurdish militia from their northern Syrian enclave, defying US warnings."
"The U.S.'s primary ally in Syria has come under attack from another partner, Turkey, putting the Pentagon in a difficult position as a new front opened between two friendly forces."
"The new strategy also raises a question: Do American voters agree?"
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"Pentagon war planners are shifting away from the George W. Bush and Obama-era strategies dominated by battling extremist groups such as al Qaeda, the Taliban and Islamic State."
"Mattis unveiled the strategy Friday morning at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies."
“Counterterrorism mission initiated after Duterte government requested aid during battle to oust insurgents from Marawi; improving ties.”
“The use of low-cost fighter planes would allow deployment of higher-tech jets to areas requiring their advanced capabilities.”
"Syria now looks like just the latest chapter in a war on terror that has already lasted nearly 17 years — starting in Afghanistan, then to Iraq, Pakistan and many other countries."
“The U.S. has escalated its presence in the country, and has signaled no timetable for when it will end.”
"The preparatory exercises all focus on the same basic theme: Step back and insist that partners do the front-line combat."
"Americans are less connected to the military than ever before and Defense Department leaders - facing a recruitment crisis in coming years - have started to take note."
Turkish officials assert that their expected military operation is to pursue a Kurdish armed force known as the People's Protection Units.