“Trump, the Chump!”

July 21, 2017

In a little noticed news story, by Tim Whewell of the BBC New World Service (July 21, 2017), a report on the ‘Alexaner Trachenko’, “a massive Russian ship passed through the Bosphorus Straits on its way to Syria.”  This is reported by “spotters” who help intelligence services document the massive Russian military build-up in Syria.  Per this report, this same large roll-on passenger ship has been seen several times before carrying military trucks and other equipment bound for Syria on its open deck.  From the heart of Istanbul, Turkey, this and other Russian ships have been observed over several months carrying military equipment into Syria.

The obvious question is why, since the military conflict is Syria is supposed to be winding down with the almost complete defeat of Isis.

In another little noticed news story, it is reported this week that the CIA ceased funding and ceased providing any military aide to the Syrian rebels.  These groups of soldiers and civilians have been instrumental in opposing the Bashar al-Assad regime, which has been implicated in multiple chemical weapons attacks upon civilians and many violation of Syrian citizens’ civil rights.  Trump, the Chump has signed off on allowing the Russians to declare victory in Syria.  From the onset, Russia’s stated goal, both explicit and implicit has been to retain Assad’s government as their client state, as having this strategic port on the Mediterranean gives Russia unlimited access to this region of the world.

Putin has long sought to broaden Russia’s international presence, in a way to project Russian power and influence, apparently seeking to regain the “glory of Russia” and its influence lost after the end of the Cold War.  Still a military power, but not an international military presence, Putin now has won another prize after Crimea for projecting the Russian fleet outside of the Black Sea.  Per other reports, Russia has placed three new submarines into the Black Sea to further consolidate their grip on power there, despite the presence of NATO warships.

President Trump, who does not deserve the title, due to his complete lack of political experience in world affairs, has given Putin the prize he has been seeking in Syria.  The Khmeinin Air Base, also Hmeimim Airbase is a Syrian airbase operated by Russia, located south-east of Latakia in Latakia Governorate, Syria (since 2015), can handle at least 50 Russian aircraft.  The Russian port in Syria is the naval facility of Tartus, leased from Syria and located in the port of the city of Tartus, Syria.  This was a major port servicing warships of the Soviet Union’s largest nuclear-powered ships.  In the 1970s this was operated by the Soviet Union.  Now, Putin is modernizing this area for this same purpose once again.  Per news reports, the base is being expanded to handle up to 11 large Russian naval ships.

Should we in the free world be concerned?  Should Israel be concerned?  If Russia projects military power and presence into the heart of the Middle East, does it not become a major player in what happens politically in this region of the world?  This is the only Russian naval base outside of outposts of the former Soviet Union, except for a resupply facility in Vietnam.  By air travel the distance from Tartus, Syria to Tel Aviv, Israel is 307 miles (494 km).  By sea, the distance is longer, approximately 566 km (351 miles).  The distance from Damascus, Syria to Tel Aviv is only 212km (132 miles).  If I were doing military planning for the defense of Israel, I would be greatly concerned.

In the event of a major war, or even a smaller skirmish between East and West, is the United States in a position to respond quickly and decisively in the defense of the our regional ally Israel?

For the past 6 months, the US media has been reporting the possible collusion of officials in the Trump administration with Russia, looking for connections between interested parties who wished to influence the US election.  Much hand wringing and anguish of mind and heart has been devoted to “ferreting out the truth” of this matter.  How much has been said about the strategic objectives of Russia in the Middle East?

Suppose, and this is a reasonable suppose, the Trump family and others associated with his business empire have been cultivated by Russia (& Putin) for years waiting for an opportunity for their “friendship” to pay off in political ways.  Suppose, and this is a reasonable suppose, Putin and his intelligence services do have some type of compromising material that could embarrass the President.  Suppose, and this is a reasonable suppose, Putin’s “friendship” with our President is meant to reinforce his (Russia’s) military and political objectives around the world.  Suppose, and this is a reasonable suppose, Trump the Chump, has limited knowledge of geopolitical realities between Russia and the United States during the Cold War and after.  Suppose, Trump believes he is “making the art of the deal” with Putin’s Russia, not realizing his “good friend” is manipulating him, making a “Chump” out of him.  A man of Trump’s ego will not readily admit a mistake in judgment and thereby is easily manipulated by those who play to his large ego and his even larger need for attention in the press.  And we might go on.

The most disturbing aspect is the Trump administration has no coherent Middle Eastern policy, other than “the defeat of Isis”.  Is this to make the world safer for democracy?  Is this to provide a democratic haven for persecuted Syrian refugees, many who have fled to Europe rather than live under a Syria dominated by Putin and Assad?  The withdrawal of the CIA military support from the Syrian rebels before any formal peace talks resolve the status of Syria essentially concedes all of Syria to Assad, except perhaps for an area in the north which the Kurds control.  Where is the end game?  Where is the projection and protection of the United States national interest in this region?  We know Trump wants to help Putin achieve his goals, this is obvious.  Why is the President of the United States not as intent or even more intent on defending the goals and national interest of the United States of America in this area of the world?!  My belief is that Trump the Chump does not have a clue as to what he is doing in the Middle East or anywhere else.

My analysis may not be perfect, but it does provide the outline of the primary question:  Can we as patriotic Americans trust this president to “do the right thing?”  I am no longer sure we can!  This is another reason I have labelled the Trump presidency as “the absolute worst in the modern era!”  There is no precedent for this!  Even Bill Clinton had enough good sense to “do the right thing” in Eastern Europe and Afghanistan!  Trump has not once “done the right thing” for the United States or our allies in the larger world.

This is a sad day!  This is a very sad day for the state of American democracy!  We have not only given away the whole kitchen, we have given away the pantry, too!  The United States of America is greatly diminished!  Our President has greatly diminished himself and us!  What else can one say?  May God have mercy upon our stupid President and his administration!  May God have mercy on the U.S.A!

The voice of one crying in this wilderness, “Make straight in this desert a highway for our God!”

In the name of Jesus Christ, the only Savior who has the power to save us!

“Amen and Amen!”