I have always been proud to be an American. The United States has long been a defender of freedom, and has kept its word with allies and enemies alike. These traditional values are what made this country a great nation. My father instilled these values in me, and I’ve always tried to embody them.
So I’m filled with sadness at the news that our country is betraying the Kurds in Syria. The Kurds have suffered for years under dictatorship, and long for a democracy of their own. The Kurds have been our allies in the Syrian war against ISIS. They have fought for five years, and lost over 11,000 men. The United States owes the Kurds, and we have a duty to repay their sacrifice.
Sadly, on a whim our president defaulted on this obligation. The United States is now shown to be morally bankrupt, and discredited around the world. Who will trust us now or in the future? The betrayal of the Kurds is un-just, and violates the core principles this country stands for.
And who are we standing aside for? President Recept Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, an autocrat who has declared himself a dictator. Our president stood aside for another familiar face. The number one villain in the world, Vladimir Putin of Russia. This is a betrayal of all the values we hold dear.
To the Kurdish people, I just want to say I apologize for betraying you. We should be better than this.
Robert Welton,
Juneau