Obama’s sudden decision to send Special Forces should fool no one

The sudden decision by Obama to send special forces to Syria ‘to combat ISIS’ is fooling no one. For well over a year ISIS seem to have been able to act with impunity while the US seemed ‘unable’ to stop their progress or intervene.

ISIS were being ‘sold’ to us as monsters worse even than al Qaeda, so why was no one willing to do anything effective? Well, actually, someone was able to do something, and that someone turned out to be Russian President Putin.

In a few weeks his forces have done more to undermine ISIS than the US and its allies have done in over a year. Now, with the Russians looking ever more likely to succeed, and demanding that Assad remain in power, suddenly Obama wants to send troops to Syria.

It is blatantly obvious that ISIS has actually been carrying out the objectives of the United States – to undermine Assad. Anyone who doubts this should be aware there is a historical precedent: the CIA armed and trained the Islamic Muhajideen (which later developed into al Qaeda) to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan.

But now Putin has his forces in the region and the rules of the game have changed. Does anyone seriously believe that the few dozen US special forces Obama plans to send to Syria could defeat ISIS all on their own?

They’re good, but they’re not that good.

One cannot help but wonder if the SpecialForces will be in Syria to protect ISIS rather than defeat it.

Nick Folley

Ardcarrig

Carrigaline

Co Cork