U.S. has sent troops to Jordan-Syria border, Panetta says

[rachel1]

Source: Los Angeles Times

The United States has sent troops to Jordan to help improve its military capabilities in case the fighting in Syria spills onto its soil, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters on Wednesday in Brussels.

Panetta made the remarks at a NATO meeting of defense ministers. The revelation comes at a time of growing fears that the chaos and bloodshed in Syria for more than a year and a half could spread beyond the country across the Middle East.

Turkey has retaliated against Syria after repeated attacks on its territory, including shelling last week that killed five people. Though Turkey has said it does not want war, the two countries have continued to trade fire this week.

In Jordan, the enduring conflict has ramped up fears over the fate of Syrian chemical weapons and pushed more than 100,000 refugees into the country as winter approaches.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/10/us-has-sent-troops-to-jordan-syria-border-panetta-says.html

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This smells like yet another pretext to instigate war in the Middle East.

Does anyone remember what happened in Afghanistan and Iraq? Is not enough money being wasted there? Are not enough civilians and soldiers being slaughtered over there?

I suppose the military-industrial complex and the neocons are gleeful over this decision.

[DURHAM D]

1. You said -

"This smells like yet another pretext to instigate war in the Middle East."

[rachel1]

2. Do you actually believe this is a well-intentioned decision?

Has the US military EVER been deployed to promote so-called "peace", "freedom", and/or "democracy" in the Middle East, or anywhere in the world, without seeking to install or support puppet regimes and control other countries's resources?

[PavePusher]

25. Gosh, thanks for the gratitude.

Next time Indonesia has an earthquake/tidal wave, or the Balkens flare up, or Mozambique floods, or we'll gladly stay home.

[rachel1]

26. Go ask all those people who experienced US foreign policy by military force

I'm sure many, if not most, Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis, Somalis, Palestinians, Bolivians, etc. will show their utmost appreciation towards such policies.

[PavePusher]

27. You realize, I hope, that the root cause of all those actions is... <gasp> our elected officals?

We go where we're told to go, and try our best to do what we're told to do, usually by those same elected officals, who have no clue what result they want or how to actually do it. (For example: Who the hell thinks they can install western-style democracy into places that hate the west and don't know didly from democracy, culturally or educationally?)

But feel free to continue blaming the wrong people. We're used to it.

Edit: And continue to ignore our civil relief work, it does spoil your meme afterall....

[FiveGoodMen]

28. Who did you think rachel was blaming?

[PavePusher]

29. "Has the US military EVER been deployed to promote so-called..."

I'm simply reading what she's typing. If she means something other than what she typed, she needs to clarify.

[FiveGoodMen]

30. But I think it's well-understood that the US Military doesn't give itself orders

Better wording might have been "Has our government ever sent the US Military to promote..."

But surely they mean the same thing.

[PavePusher]

31. Well, maybe I'm oversensative....

but after 22 years in the USAF, when someone says something like that, it feels like they're trying to make me/my comrades their whipping-subjects. And frankly I'm fucking tired of it. I surely didn't see her in Mozambique during the floods of 2001, when one of my best friends died. So she can be a little more accurate, or defend her statements.

[hrmjustin]

3. not a good sign.

[marble falls]

4. It quacks exactly like the duck it is. This is how our wars start.

[WCGreen]

5. I did not support the Iraq War....

But putting troops in Jordan is a wise move. Something has to stabilize the Middle East and it can't be Israel.

[rachel1]

6. Yes, because the US military has such a great reputation in the Middle East

when it comes to promoting stability, peace, freedom, democracy, etc.?

[WCGreen]

9. I understand your point...

But the reality on the ground right now is the uber violence that is wrecking havoc in Syria is about to spill over to one of the most reasonable regimes in the Middle East. If we don't step in, Jordan could slip into factions just like Lebanon and if that happens, Israel will engage...

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Seems you are more worried about hypothetical Israeli actions...

...than what is actually happening. Strange.

[WCGreen]

11. The only reason I brought up Israel is to point out that escalation of violence

could draw Israel in and that would not be good for Israel.

If Israel comes in, there would be those in the Middle East who would try to unite the factions clamoring for change in their country by saying Israel was behind the unrest all the time. That is my concern.

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Ok. I feel the more realistic fear is if this spills into Lebanon.

Once it spills there, then it is very likely Hizb'allah will use it's advantage to attack Israel.

As for the all of the trouble there now, there are already those claiming Israel is behind it. The US presence in Jordan will likely prevent the Israelis from entering the fray. The only thing that really could blow the whole thing to shit is if Assad, in his desperation, attacks Israel or if the rebels do it in his name (false flag).

[WCGreen]

14. That has been my biggest fear...

But what could be happening is as this new generation is getting more outside information, they may not be all that upset about Israel. I don't know how old you are, but I do remember the Wars against Israel and the terror as I thought what if the USSR gets involved.

Now, I hope that if real democracy and with it, real information bursts on the scene in the ME, there just might be a chance to get Israel off the bogeyman list for every ill that comes at them. I hope that makes sense, I just took my sleeping pill and I am heading off to bed.

Great conversation. This is what makes DU DU.

[Behind the Aegis]

15. I hope a day comes where "Israel is behind it" vanishes, but not all the hopeful, sadly.

Though the USSR doesn't exist, this is clearly a "standoff" between the American and Russian empires. This has become very clear in the UN Security Council meetings, which are joke anyway. All the dick-waving between Israel and Iran was for show. It is this situation which is likely to spark another war involving many players, perhaps even another World War, though I don't really think it will go that far. The Turkish-Syrian back and forth is more of a real threat than the aforementioned Israel/Iran crap. Keep in mind, it is the same shit being peddled by Romney and his crew, which further demonstrates his lack of understanding of actual ME issues. Of course, it is also being pumped by forces on the left, which shows their true nature as well.

This low-grade war will likely continue until early next year, but I wouldn't be surprised if something finally gives, but IMO, it won't happen until after our elections (I only say this because as fast as things seem to be moving, they really aren't).

Sleep well.

[triplepoint]

7. Looks Like We Love Playing Vulture or World's Policia Again

This going to be another episode of "Wag the Dog" or another phony war on terror fan dance towards more U.S. hegemony in the Middle East/Ages or what?

[riderinthestorm]

8. The US is already involved in Syria under direct orders from Obama.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/01/us-usa-syria-obama-order-idUSBRE8701OK20120801

We've been meddling in Libya, Egypt and all the other ME affairs, covertly and overtly.

There are MANY players working behind the scenes in the ME "Arab Spring". Nothing is at it seems. Beware trite, easy, pat answers like "Assad must be overthrown!1111!!". Chances are it's disinformation.

[Bullionwar]

13. Manpower of US Army?

How can US troops police so many countries. what is the manpower of US army?

[cstanleytech]

17. Seriously? Its 150 people so does the size of the military really matter for such a small number?

[Behind the Aegis]

18. I made the troll go bye-bye.

[cstanleytech]

19. No fair!! I wanted to watch as their headed exploded.

[cstanleytech]

16. Yes of course because every time the US sends troops

its because its a pretext to start a war.

In other words while I do agree we should keep an eye on our governments decisions over the deployment of its troops I dont buy the theory that Obama is stupid enough to get us bogged down in yet a new war when he is still trying to clean up the mess Bush and Cheney left behind with their two wars not to mention the economy that those two clowns left in tatters.

[lib2DaBone]

21. The way to stop war is not to start a new one...?

The CIA is on the Syrian border supplying Stinger Missiles.

Obama gave $23 Million in "Humanitarian" aid to Al Queida rebels in Syria.

I thougut Al Queida was our mortal enemy and the reason for the WOT.. yet Obama gave them $23 Million?

[cstanleytech]

23. And the other side of the coin is if you sometimes ignore an issue it can become a bigger thorn

in your side like when the Taliban took control over Afghanistan and we all know how well that worked out both for our country and the people of Afghanistan.

[Jeneral2885]

20. No boots on the ground

eh? So much for the talk.

[lib2DaBone]

22. Hard to believe...

Hard to believe Mr. Obama would start a new war 1 month before an election.. ?

But that is what he is doing.

[dipsydoodle]

24. Duplicate LBN - earlier post here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014261876

I appreciate you couldn't have used advanced search " US Jordan" to have found that.