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Sanders blasts Saudi Arabia for suggesting US troops against ISIS

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Sanders blasts Saudi Arabia for suggesting US troops against ISIS | TheHill

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) ripped Saudi Arabia Friday after the nation’s top diplomat suggested the U.S. would have to deploy ground troops to ultimately defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“I find it remarkable that Saudi Arabia, which borders Iraq and is controlled by a multi-billion dollar family, is demanding that U.S. combat troops have ‘boots on the ground’ against ISIS. Where are the Saudi troops?” Sanders, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, said in a statement.

“With the third largest military budget in the world and an army far larger than ISIS, the Saudi government must accept its full responsibility for stability in their own region of the world,” he added.

The sharp words come the day after Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, expressed concern that Iran’s military is increasing its support to Baghdad’s forces in the fight against the terror group, especially around the city of Tikrit.

"Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about," the prince through an interpreter said during a joint press conference with Secretary of State John Kerry in Riyadh, the country’s capital. "Iran is taking over the country."

The diplomat urged the U.S.-led international coalition to take the “necessary military means to fight this challenge on the ground.”

Sanders flatly rejected the notion that America must lead the vanguard against ISIS.

“Ultimately, this is a profound struggle for the soul of Islam, and the anti-ISIS Muslim nations must lead that fight. While the United States and other western nations should be supportive, the Muslim nations must lead,” he said.

The U.S. has almost 3,000 military advisers in Iraq.

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None is actually about IS it's all meant to counter Iran. Stationing thousands of US forces and bases in Iraq would force it to be allied with the US and it's regional allies.
 
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US invaded Iraq in 2003. Based on false intelligence. ISIS became relevant in 2003 and grow in size and power during the US occupation and invasion. Had the US not invaded there would be no Daesh. At most it would have remained as a tiny and shady group.

KSA warned against the invasion of Iraq and predicted pretty much everything that followed later.

Article from 2003;

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudis warn US over Iraq war

"If change of regime comes with the destruction of Iraq, then you are solving one problem and creating five more problems.

KSA is fighting ISIS at home, in Syria and KSA is part of the coalition. What happens outside of KSA is not KSA's responsibility.

KSA is not the undisputed world power with dozens of military bases in the ME and across the world. USA is that. KSA is not invading any countries either. USA have done that and are doing that currently in Afghanistan.

KSA offered to send troops to fight Daesh under the condition that other states followed. So far no country has done such a thing. Why should KSA then do it out of a sudden?

Let this Sanders clown bark. At the end of the day both KSA and the US will reach some kind of understanding as usual. Also if this Sanders ever becomes president his tune will also change. Mark my words.

Oh, it's a 73 year old American Jew. That explains it.

Bernie Sanders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maybe he should have called Israel out too. They are part of the region as well and bordering Syria.
 
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US invaded Iraq in 2003. Based on false intelligence. ISIS became relevant in 2003 and grow in size and power during the US occupation and invasion. Had the US not invaded there would be no Daesh. At most it would have remained as a tiny and shady group.

KSA warned against the invasion of Iraq and predicted pretty much everything that followed later.

Article from 2003;

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudis warn US over Iraq war

"If change of regime comes with the destruction of Iraq, then you are solving one problem and creating five more problems.

KSA is fighting ISIS at home, in Syria and KSA is part of the coalition. What happens outside of KSA is not KSA's responsibility.

KSA is not the undisputed world power with dozens of military bases in the ME and across the world. USA is that. KSA is not invading any countries either. USA have done that and is doing that.

KSA offered to send troops to fight Daesh under the condition that other states followed. So far no country has done such a thing. Why should KSA then do it out of a sudden?

Let this Sanders clown bark.



Saudi Arabia needs to step up. If they want to be de facto top man in that region they are going to have to spill some blood. their sons have no problem leaving the Kingdom to die fighting with terrorists why can't the Army do the same but bring stability?

Saudi Arabia,Qatar, and UAE need to step in.

Iran has taken the initiative is winning hearts and minds, can't say some mainly White U.S Christians could do the same.
 
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He is a left wing independent from Vermont so not sure how much weight his view carries
Both Hillary Clinton and the Republicans i think would be pretty open to another troop intervention in Iraq
 
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Saudi Arabia needs to step up. If they want to be de facto top man in that region they are going to have to spill some blood. their sons have no problem leaving the Kingdom to die fighting with terrorists why can't the Army do the same but bring stability?

Saudi Arabia,Qatar, and UAE need to step in.

Iran has taken the initiative is winning hearts and minds, can't say some mainly White U.S Christians could do the same.

"Needs to step up" as in what? KSA and UAE are part of the coalition. Qatar too if I recall. They have taken part in dozens of bombing raids in Syria against Daesh.

In my eyes they should have bombed the genocidal Adolf Al-Asshead regime too.

If you mean sending ground troops then no country has done such a thing yet. Why single out KSA?


Yes 2500 people out of 31 million people. Mostly young brainwashed keyboard warriors. Many underage. They don't fight for any country, in fact all of them hate their country, but they fight for Daesh's goals. Not my business or problem nor do I care about them.

KSA's army should fight to protect KSA and allies. Nothing more. Neither the regime in Syria or Iraq are allies. In fact both are hostile states. More so Syria. I am solely talking about the governments here and not the people. After all people everywhere in the ME do not have much to say in politics.


"Winning hearts and minds" lol.
 
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US invaded Iraq in 2003. Based on false intelligence. ISIS became relevant in 2003 and grow in size and power during the US occupation and invasion. Had the US not invaded there would be no Daesh. At most it would have remained as a tiny and shady group.

KSA warned against the invasion of Iraq and predicted pretty much everything that followed later.

Article from 2003;

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saudis warn US over Iraq war

"If change of regime comes with the destruction of Iraq, then you are solving one problem and creating five more problems.

KSA is fighting ISIS at home, in Syria and KSA is part of the coalition. What happens outside of KSA is not KSA's responsibility.

KSA is not the undisputed world power with dozens of military bases in the ME and across the world. USA is that. KSA is not invading any countries either. USA have done that and are doing that currently in Afghanistan.

KSA offered to send troops to fight Daesh under the condition that other states followed. So far no country has done such a thing. Why should KSA then do it out of a sudden?

Let this Sanders clown bark. At the end of the day both KSA and the US will reach some kind of understanding as usual. Also if this Sanders ever becomes president his tune will also change. Mark my words.

Oh, it's a 74 year old American Jew. That explains it.

Bernie Sanders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maybe he should have called Israel out too. They are part of the region as well and bordering Syria.

This is not about IS but mainly regional alliances.
You can see that by just reading this

"Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about," the prince through an interpreter said during a joint press conference with Secretary of State John Kerry in Riyadh, the country’s capital. "Iran is taking over the country."

Which obviously is a BS sentence but points out that he wants US troops to be sent to become the superior force in the country and pull the country to the US side instead of Iran side. Nevertheless I actually think that is needed, let Americans have their bases here, it'll give Iraq time to fix it's problems and have a deterrence. Similar as to what other states in the region have.
 
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He is a left wing independent from Vermont so not sure how much weight his view carries
Both Hillary Clinton and the Republicans i think would be pretty open to another troop intervention in Iraq

He is also a 73 old American Jew. He should have called Israel out too. They are bordering Syria and a regional power as well. They are part of the region too.

Anyway Iraq does not even want Arab countries to send any ground troops. KSA was not even allowed to conduct air strikes in Iraq. So what the hell is he blabbering about? Sending ground troops to Syria would/should be against both Daesh AND the Adolf Al-Asshead regime. Also this should only happen if other regional countries took part.
 
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He is also a 73 old American Jew. He should have called Israel out too. They are bordering Syria and a regional power as well. They are part of the region too.

Anyway Iraq does not even want Arab countries to send any ground troops. KSA was not even allowed to conduct air strikes in Iraq. So what the hell is he blabbering about? Sending ground troops to Syria would/should be against both Daesh AND the Adolf Al-Asshead regime. Also this should only happen if other regional countries took part.
ISIS has been pretty successful in riling up the American public view against them
I don't think any Presidential candidate would have a tough sell if he/she advocates for a ground intervention now
 
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This is not about IS but mainly regional alliances.
You can see that by just reading this



Which obviously is a BS sentence but points out that he wants US troops to be sent to become the superior force in the country and pull the country to the US side instead of Iran side. Nevertheless I actually think that is needed, let Americans have their bases here, it'll give Iraq time to fix it's problems and have a deterrence. Similar as to what other states in the region have.

How can a regional alliance even emerge when the Iraqi regime does not allow neighboring fellow Arab countries to bomb Daesh when they offer their help? You said yourself that if foreigners got involved on the ground it would lead to conflicts/clashes with Iranian sponsored Shia militias. Another recipe for disaster in the ongoing cycle of violence in Iraq.

It's not bullshit. Iran is an enemy of KSA/GCC and most of the Arab world. We see what Iranian regime support is doing all across the Arab world. Mainly in Southern Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Funnily enough all countries that either border KSA directly or are close to it.

KSA cannot trust Iranian sponsored Shia militias that only recently fired rockets into KSA and which openly threaten to invade KSA.

Those are hostile groups to KSA. Every state cares about their interests. The Shia led Iraqi government which is close to the Mullah's do not see them as hostile but other states in the ME do. Among them KSA.

ISIS has been pretty successful in riling up the American public view against them
I don't think any Presidential candidate would have a tough sell if he/she advocates for a ground intervention now

My impression is that the American public is tired of war and that China is a bigger worry on the long run. Let alone Russia due to their actions in Ukraine.

If other states (regional, USA etc.) are willing to send ground troops to fight Daesh KSA will follow suit. The regime already said so. It would be a good thing experience wise.
 
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If you mean sending ground troops then no country has done such a thing yet. Why single out KSA?

KSA was singled out because KSA suggested that we should put boots on the ground because Iran had too much influence over the Iraqi administration. This was Sanders' response to them.

KSA's army should fight to protect KSA and allies. Nothing more. Neither the regime in Syria or Iraq are allies. In fact both are hostile states. More so Syria. I am solely talking about the governments here and not the people. After all people everywhere in the ME do not have much to say in politics.

And yet KSA expects the US to put boots on the ground in Iraq because they're losing influence with the Iraqi Govt? Nice theory. Maybe is time for KSA to grow a pair and fight to protect its interests instead of asking us to do it.

He is also a 73 old American Jew.

Of course, its because he's a Jew. I mean what sane American would expect a Saudi to break a sweat, right?
 
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KSA was singled out because KSA suggested that we should put boots on the ground because Iran had too much influence over the Iraqi administration. This was Sanders' response to them.



And yet KSA expects the US to put boots on the ground in Iraq because they're losing influence with the Iraqi Govt? Nice theory. Maybe is time for KSA to grow a pair and fight to protect its interests instead of asking us to do it.



Of course, its because he's a Jew. I mean what sane American would expect a Saudi to break a sweat, right?

Which pretty much every allied regional power did. Not only KSA.

You know why they did that? Because US has a great responsibility for what we see today and because that's what allies do. Do you also know another thing? If this happens KSA, Turkey and other regional states will be ready to send ground troops as well. They need to be reassured. Russia is involved in Syria too in case you do not know. So it's also very much a USA/Russia battle just like we see in Ukraine.

LOL, what? KSA has had little influence in Iraq since 1991 in terms of the political game there. Iraq is not important to KSA other than in terms of security and limiting Iranian Mullah influence. That's all.

Well, that plays a role. In case you are not aware of this then the strong Jewish lobby and community in the US is mostly made up of Eastern European Jews (not Arab Jews like in Israel) and they are strongly pro-Israel and anti-Arab. Most of them at least.

It's funny that he does not mention Israel with one single word. Last time I saw then Israel is calling for the US to invade Iran and to also take action against Al-Assad.

I guess that Israel is not part of the ME anymore despite bordering Syria and KSA.

P.S.: If you knew my history here on PDF then you would know that I have no problem with Jews at all rather the contrary. It must be said though that he as an American Jew has his agenda which is normal. It would be the same if it was one of the 3.5 million Arab-Americans that made a statement about the situation in the ME. It's logical. Not sure why you get worked up due to that?
 
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Sanders blasts Saudi Arabia for suggesting US troops against ISIS | TheHill

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) ripped Saudi Arabia Friday after the nation’s top diplomat suggested the U.S. would have to deploy ground troops to ultimately defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“I find it remarkable that Saudi Arabia, which borders Iraq and is controlled by a multi-billion dollar family, is demanding that U.S. combat troops have ‘boots on the ground’ against ISIS. Where are the Saudi troops?” Sanders, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, said in a statement.

“With the third largest military budget in the world and an army far larger than ISIS, the Saudi government must accept its full responsibility for stability in their own region of the world,” he added.

The sharp words come the day after Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, expressed concern that Iran’s military is increasing its support to Baghdad’s forces in the fight against the terror group, especially around the city of Tikrit.

"Tikrit is a prime example of what we are worried about," the prince through an interpreter said during a joint press conference with Secretary of State John Kerry in Riyadh, the country’s capital. "Iran is taking over the country."

The diplomat urged the U.S.-led international coalition to take the “necessary military means to fight this challenge on the ground.”

Sanders flatly rejected the notion that America must lead the vanguard against ISIS.

“Ultimately, this is a profound struggle for the soul of Islam, and the anti-ISIS Muslim nations must lead that fight. While the United States and other western nations should be supportive, the Muslim nations must lead,” he said.

The U.S. has almost 3,000 military advisers in Iraq.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

None is actually about IS it's all meant to counter Iran. Stationing thousands of US forces and bases in Iraq would force it to be allied with the US and it's regional allies.

I agree and applaud Sanders for that sentiment. So King Faisal is concerned that the Iranians are helping the Iraqis. I guess he didn't have any problem with IS taking over Northern Iraq, but he has a problem with the Iranians helping the Iraqi authorities retake it.
 
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Saudi Arabia needs to step up. If they want to be de facto top man in that region they are going to have to spill some blood. their sons have no problem leaving the Kingdom to die fighting with terrorists why can't the Army do the same but bring stability?

Saudi Arabia,Qatar, and UAE need to step in.

Iran has taken the initiative is winning hearts and minds, can't say some mainly White U.S Christians could do the same.

Pfftt.!. The Saudis do their own work!. Blasphemy man.
The most you can ask of them is sitting in the rather nice cockpit of a F-15 and bombing. Anything else and your needs to be chopped off.

In all seriousness though, this is the price the US pays for keeping these monarchies propped up in the Gulf. America has to be their mercenary army and fight battles they should do themselves.
 
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