US to scrap $500m effort to train Syrian rebels to take on Isis

[EC]

The US government is set to scrap a $500m Pentagon programme to train Syrian rebels in an effort to counter Isis - an acknowledgment of the failure to make any headway on the ground

The New York Times said that Pentagon officials were expected to officially announce the end of the programme on Friday, as Defence Secretary Ashton Carter leaves London after meetings with his British counterpart, Michael Fallon, about the continuing wars in Syria and Iraq.

A senior Defence Department official, told the newspaper there would no longer be any more recruiting of so-called moderate Syrian rebels to go through training programs in Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.

Instead, a much smaller training center would be set up in Turkey, where a small group of “enablers” — mostly leaders of opposition groups — would be taught operational moves such as how to call in airstrikes.

The CIA has a separate, covert programme to recruit rebels to take on President Basher al-Assad.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-to-scrap-500m-effort-to-train-syrian-rebels-to-take-on-isis-a6687781.html


Grrrrrrr.

[mystery-ak]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/world/middleeast/pentagon-program-islamic-state-syria.html?smid=tw-bna&_r=1

Obama Administration Ends Pentagon Program to Train Syrian Rebels

By HELENE COOPER and ERIC SCHMITTOCT. 9, 2015

LONDON — The Obama administration has ended the Pentagon’s $500 million program to train and equip Syrian rebels, administration officials said on Friday, in an acknowledgment that the beleaguered program had failed to produce any kind of ground combat forces capable of taking on the Islamic State in Syria.

Pentagon officials were expected to officially announce the end of the program on Friday, as Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter leaves London after meetings with his British counterpart, Michael Fallon, about the continuing wars in Syria and Iraq.

“I wasn’t happy with the early efforts” of the program, Mr. Carter said during a news conference with Mr. Fallon. “So we have devised a number of different approaches.” Mr. Carter added, “I think you’ll be hearing from President Obama very shortly” on the program.

But after the news conference, a senior defense official said that Mr. Carter had misspoken and that Mr. Obama would not be speaking. The White House is expected to make a statement.

continued

[mystery-ak]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-bombs-syria-u-s-pulls-aircraft-carrier-out-persian-n440731

As Russia Bombs Syria, U.S. Pulls Aircraft Carrier Out of Persian Gulf

[Godzilla]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-bombs-syria-u-s-pulls-aircraft-carrier-out-persian-n440731

As Russia Bombs Syria, U.S. Pulls Aircraft Carrier Out of Persian Gulf

Was that their regular rotation... or something else?

For that title applies in either case... it's just insinuating that 'part 1' caused 'part 2'

[DCPatriot]

And it was reported this morning that Ashton Carter requested that Russia consider abandoning Assad.   

[aligncare]

The US decided to scrap the $500 million program after the overpriced training of rebels was interrupted by their deaths. It should take Obama, what? --a year maybe to stop payments?

[flowers]

Will the CIA get to keep the toyotas for pals isis?

[Scottftlc]

Putin has certainly upset their Apple-cart.  Checkmate.