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Kurds’ Feelings of Betrayal by U.S. Kurds’ Feelings of Betrayal by the U.S.
(about 3 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Pullback Broke Trust Between Partners Bonded by Battle” (front page, Oct. 14):Re “Pullback Broke Trust Between Partners Bonded by Battle” (front page, Oct. 14):
“They trusted us and we broke that trust. It’s a stain on the American conscience.” These words of frustrated honor by an American Army officer who had been among our boots on the ground in northern Syria are a devastating comment on President Trump’s amoral and impulsive decision to abandon both our Kurdish allies and our national dignity.“They trusted us and we broke that trust. It’s a stain on the American conscience.” These words of frustrated honor by an American Army officer who had been among our boots on the ground in northern Syria are a devastating comment on President Trump’s amoral and impulsive decision to abandon both our Kurdish allies and our national dignity.
Up until now, it’s been the image of Donald Trump with his hands on the nuclear launch codes that’s filled millions of Americans with dread over the implications of his presidency for national security and world peace. Not much attention was paid to what cataclysmic awfulness he could purvey with a simple telephone handset receiver.Up until now, it’s been the image of Donald Trump with his hands on the nuclear launch codes that’s filled millions of Americans with dread over the implications of his presidency for national security and world peace. Not much attention was paid to what cataclysmic awfulness he could purvey with a simple telephone handset receiver.
But given the implicit green light he gave in a call to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Turkish military offensive against the Kurds, now we’ve found out.But given the implicit green light he gave in a call to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Turkish military offensive against the Kurds, now we’ve found out.
Chuck CutoloWestbury, N.Y.Chuck CutoloWestbury, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
It may be too late for the Kurds in Syria along the Turkish border. But it is not too late for the United Nations to create an independent Kurdistan. In 1947 the United Nations — with the backing of the United States and the Soviet Union — proposed the creation of a homeland for the Jews in British Palestine, in response to the killing of six million Jews in Europe.It may be too late for the Kurds in Syria along the Turkish border. But it is not too late for the United Nations to create an independent Kurdistan. In 1947 the United Nations — with the backing of the United States and the Soviet Union — proposed the creation of a homeland for the Jews in British Palestine, in response to the killing of six million Jews in Europe.
There are more than 30 million Kurds in the Middle East who have repeatedly faced persecution, discrimination and horrendous massacres. With their base in northern Iraq, and with some additional land from Turkey, Syria and Iran, there is no reason they should not have their own country. It’s high time.There are more than 30 million Kurds in the Middle East who have repeatedly faced persecution, discrimination and horrendous massacres. With their base in northern Iraq, and with some additional land from Turkey, Syria and Iran, there is no reason they should not have their own country. It’s high time.
Maurice WolfthalHoustonMaurice WolfthalHouston
To the Editor:To the Editor:
It couldn’t be the Trump Towers in Istanbul and the Trump family’s other business interests in Turkey that are behind the United States’ inexcusable betrayal of our Kurdish allies, could it? Or maybe it’s the debt that President Trump owes to Vladimir Putin for helping him get elected?It couldn’t be the Trump Towers in Istanbul and the Trump family’s other business interests in Turkey that are behind the United States’ inexcusable betrayal of our Kurdish allies, could it? Or maybe it’s the debt that President Trump owes to Vladimir Putin for helping him get elected?
This is the president who determines almost all our foreign policy on a financial, transactional basis. So what if a few thousand Kurds are slaughtered and ISIS fighters are freed to create havoc across the Middle East and Europe? Not Mr. Trump’s problem.This is the president who determines almost all our foreign policy on a financial, transactional basis. So what if a few thousand Kurds are slaughtered and ISIS fighters are freed to create havoc across the Middle East and Europe? Not Mr. Trump’s problem.
Bob ShamisBronxville, N.Y.Bob ShamisBronxville, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
As long as the United States stands with its allies, blocs such as the European Union and NATO are stronger than Russia. Vladimir Putin wishes to fracture these blocs so that Russia can commandeer smaller nations and return them to the Russian sphere of influence. President Trump has played into Mr. Putin’s playbook, and most Republicans have chosen to be deliberately oblivious.As long as the United States stands with its allies, blocs such as the European Union and NATO are stronger than Russia. Vladimir Putin wishes to fracture these blocs so that Russia can commandeer smaller nations and return them to the Russian sphere of influence. President Trump has played into Mr. Putin’s playbook, and most Republicans have chosen to be deliberately oblivious.
Mr. Trump has made a cascade of decisions that strengthen Russia and stain the honor of the United States. One wonders whether Mr. Trump is an unwitting stooge, or whether he is compromising the United States for personal gain.Mr. Trump has made a cascade of decisions that strengthen Russia and stain the honor of the United States. One wonders whether Mr. Trump is an unwitting stooge, or whether he is compromising the United States for personal gain.
Daniel DolgicerNew YorkDaniel DolgicerNew York