The press has lambasted President Trump, calling him an idiot, an imbecile,  and worse.  The reaction of the press to his decision to pull American troops out of Syria brought further condemnation by the press, outrage even, with the Daily Beast painting the President as unpredictable.  In all the criticism, and reaction, the press, most of Congress, much of the President’s cabinet and the enemies of the US missed the truth.  Trump never planned to pull out of Syria.  Not for a long time in the future.

In one move President Trump revealed the ill intentions harbored by numerous enemies.  Turkey’s double dealing was revealed for all to see.  Their secret relationship with Iran was uncovered as were Russia’s intention to help carve up Syria.  He flushed out members of his cabinet that would not stand by his strategies.

As he had many times before, the reaction to his plans laid bare the true intentions of the enemy.  Russia wasted no time trying to arrange a meeting with Turkey and Iran.   Turkish backed Syrian troops started positioning themselves for an attack on Kurdish held Manbij.  Turkey’s desire to take the Kurdish areas was on the table for all to see.

The alignment of Turkey and Russia, with Turkey being a NATO state, demonstrates their unreliability as an ally.  Turkey’s willingness to sit down with Iran threatens everyone in the region.

John Bolton’s trip to Israel put conditions on the pullout which could keep troops in Syria for years. (New York Times)  By the time Israel was reassured all the players had already revealed their cards.  Turkey had been revealed as an deceitful partner, Russia clearly an opportunist with designs on the area,  and congressmen and cabinet members with an anti-Trump agenda were rooted out.

The classic redirection put each of these players and the press in a tizzy.  Nevertheless, in terms of geo-political power President Trump out them all.  Each revealed things about their plans and intentions that could be countered by just staying engaged.  Our press and our enemies took Trump at his word and failed to see the wider plan. Even as the plan becomes clear,  the media can’t grasp it.

As just a spectator I can only see the broader benefit of the ruse.  The facts made public.  Add the intelligence gathering and informational benefit and the reality is the Trump along with US interests gained mightily while each of the other players have lost major face.  Trump outsmarted them all.  The troops stay, and the conditions of their withdrawal have been set.  The bad faith plans of our enemies have been laid bare for the world to see.

One day the press might give the President credit for out thinking our enemies. I doubt that. They certainly will never give him credit for out thinking the media, which has once again show itself to be the true dupe.