TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior political analyst from the US state of Illinois pointed to the recent decision by President Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from Syria, saying that whether the US stay or leave the Arab country, “Washington’s imperial agenda” will remain unchanged.
“Whether US forces stay or leave Syria, Washington’s imperial agenda
remains unchanged - seeking regime change in Syria and against all other
sovereign independent governments,” Chicago-based Stephen Lendman told
Tasnim in an interview.
remains unchanged - seeking regime change in Syria and against all other
sovereign independent governments,” Chicago-based Stephen Lendman told
Tasnim in an interview.
“It’s unknown for sure if US forces in Syria will stay or leave,” he said,
adding, “Washington has 18 military bases in the country.”
adding, “Washington has 18 military bases in the country.”
Stephen Lendman is a writer, syndicated columnist, activist, News TV personality,
and radio show host. He currently writes for MoneyNewsNow.com
and VeteransToday.com and hosts, since 2007, a progressive radio show at
The Progressive Radio News Hour on The Progressive Radio Network.
and radio show host. He currently writes for MoneyNewsNow.com
and VeteransToday.com and hosts, since 2007, a progressive radio show at
The Progressive Radio News Hour on The Progressive Radio Network.
The following is the full text of the interview:
Tasnim: As you know, US President Donald Trump has recently decided
to withdraw all US troops from Syria. Given that Trump is a businessman
and thinks only about profit, what are the reasons behind this decision?
What do you think about the possibility of the total withdrawal? Would he
keep US strongholds in Syria?
to withdraw all US troops from Syria. Given that Trump is a businessman
and thinks only about profit, what are the reasons behind this decision?
What do you think about the possibility of the total withdrawal? Would he
keep US strongholds in Syria?
Lendman: Whether US forces stay or leave Syria, Washington’s imperial
agenda remains unchanged - seeking regime change in Syria and against all
other sovereign independent governments.
agenda remains unchanged - seeking regime change in Syria and against all
other sovereign independent governments.
It’s unknown for sure if US forces in Syria will stay or leave. Washington has 18
military bases in the country. It’s building two more and one or two others in Iraq
near Syria’s border.
military bases in the country. It’s building two more and one or two others in Iraq
near Syria’s border.
The Pentagon isn’t about to abandon these bases. US forces in Syria will either
stay, be fully or partly redeployed to Iraq and/or elsewhere in the region.
stay, be fully or partly redeployed to Iraq and/or elsewhere in the region.
Pentagon forces, if leave, will likely be replaced by private military contractors
like Blackwater USA - unaccountable to US or local laws, norms, and standards.
My best guess is this is what’s most likely in the new year.
like Blackwater USA - unaccountable to US or local laws, norms, and standards.
My best guess is this is what’s most likely in the new year.
Tasnim: Trump’s withdrawal plan has been met with widespread
opposition inside and outside the US. France's President Emmanuel Macron
has said he deeply regrets the controversial decision. “An ally must
be dependable,” said Macron, who reportedly called Trump to warn him
against the plan. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the US envoy
to the global coalition fighting the Daesh terrorist group, Brett McGurk,
resigned in protest over Trump’s decision. In your opinion, why is
Trump insisting on his decision?
opposition inside and outside the US. France's President Emmanuel Macron
has said he deeply regrets the controversial decision. “An ally must
be dependable,” said Macron, who reportedly called Trump to warn him
against the plan. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the US envoy
to the global coalition fighting the Daesh terrorist group, Brett McGurk,
resigned in protest over Trump’s decision. In your opinion, why is
Trump insisting on his decision?
Lendman: Trump is a businessman, television personality, a geopolitical
know-nothing. He understands profit-making, not affairs of state.
know-nothing. He understands profit-making, not affairs of state.
After escalating wars in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen for nearly two
years in office, his decision to pull back is inconsistent with what he’s gone along
with so far.
years in office, his decision to pull back is inconsistent with what he’s gone along
with so far.
I can’t read his mind. I’ve explained that he delegated geopolitical issues to
regime hardliners, Pompeo, and Bolton most of all. He’s notorious for saying one
thing and doing another.
regime hardliners, Pompeo, and Bolton most of all. He’s notorious for saying one
thing and doing another.
Even if he withdraws forces from Syria and Afghanistan he’ll do no more than
move pieces around on America’s chessboard - leaving its imperial
agenda unchanged. If he pushes too far, which is unlikely, he could be impeached
or assassinated like Jack Kennedy.
move pieces around on America’s chessboard - leaving its imperial
agenda unchanged. If he pushes too far, which is unlikely, he could be impeached
or assassinated like Jack Kennedy.
Tasnim: Some analysts say that the US withdrawal would be a victory for
Iran. What is your assessment of the Islamic Republic’s role in
developments which led Trump to take such a decision?
Iran. What is your assessment of the Islamic Republic’s role in
developments which led Trump to take such a decision?
Lendman: Withdrawal or staying changes nothing. Either way, it’s no victory for
Iran - wanting regional peace and stability not forthcoming because the US
wants endless war.
Iran - wanting regional peace and stability not forthcoming because the US
wants endless war.
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