US Senate breaks from Trump on Syria troop pullout vote
The Republican-led US Senate backed largely symbolic legislation yesterday that broke with President Donald Trump by opposing plans for any abrupt withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
The Senate voted 70-26 in favour of a non-binding amendment, drafted by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, saying it was the sense of the Senate that Islamist militant groups in both countries continued to pose a "serious threat" to the United States.
The amendment acknowledged progress against Islamic State and al Qaeda in Syria and Afghanistan but warned that "a precipitous withdrawal" without effective efforts to secure gains could destabilise the region and create a vacuum that could be filled by Iran or Russia.
It called upon the Trump administration to certify conditions had been met for the groups' "enduring defeat" before any significant withdrawal from Syria or Afghanistan.
The amendment is part of a broader Middle East security bill expected to pass the Senate shortly. To become law, however, the bill would need to pass the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, where it is unlikely to move without significant changes.
- Reuters
Pose a "serious threat" to the United States. This is the standard line American use to invade another country. It is US, Saudi and Pakistan who gave birth to al qaeda, taliban and isis to overthrow legitimate governments who are not anti American but they are not American lackey. The gave birth to these demons and they have lost control over. Lick up to US and they will allow you to butcher your citizens ...from the Shah of Iran ..to El Salvador to Nicaragua to Venezuela..the list is long. They use different standard of human rights to judge the invasion and different standards of democracy to invade. They say they pose a threat ...do they have the capability to invade us? It US and UK with the colonial mentality who seek world dominance.
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