The Wall Street Journal - Trump’s Intelligence Pick Tulsi Gabbard Secretly Met Assad: What We Know | WSJ
Tulsi Gabbard's unannounced 2017 trip to Syria, where she met with President Bashar al-Assad, has come under scrutiny as she is considered for a role overseeing US intelligence agencies. Critics argue her actions reflect a pattern of questioning US intelligence and engaging with adversaries, while supporters see her as advocating for anti-war and non-interventionist policies. The trip occurred after Assad's forces, backed by Russia, retook Aleppo, a significant event in Syria's civil war. Gabbard's itinerary, initially not mentioning Assad, was later updated to include meetings with him and other Syrian officials. She described the visit as a fact-finding mission organized by peace advocates, aiming to understand the situation and explore peace possibilities. Her foreign policy views are influenced by her military experience and skepticism of US involvement in regime-change wars. Gabbard has introduced legislation to prevent US support for Syrian opposition groups, arguing it inadvertently aids terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Key Points:
- Gabbard's 2017 Syria trip included meetings with Assad, raising concerns about her foreign policy views.
- Critics see her actions as aligning with adversaries, while supporters view her as anti-war.
- The trip followed significant events in Syria's civil war, including the retaking of Aleppo by Assad's forces.
- Gabbard's military background influences her skepticism of US intervention in foreign conflicts.
- She proposed legislation to stop US support for Syrian opposition, citing risks of aiding terrorists.
Details:
1. 📰 Tulsi Gabbard's Controversial Syria Trip
1.1. Details and Reactions to Tulsi Gabbard's Meetings with Bashar al-Assad
1.2. Context and Implications of Gabbard's Foreign Policy Approach
2. 🗺️ Syria's Complex Conflict and Gabbard's Meetings
- Gabbard's trip occurred shortly after Assad's forces retook Aleppo, a major rebel stronghold, marking a strategic setback for various factions in Syria’s conflict.
- By 2017, over 135,000 civilians had died in the Syrian civil war, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict.
- Gabbard's congressional disclosure forms revealed an unapproved meeting with Assad, occurring soon after her arrival in Damascus, contrary to the initial itinerary approved by the House Committee on Ethics.
- She met with Asma al-Assad, the Syrian first lady under international sanctions since 2012, demonstrating the contentious nature of her visit.
- Gabbard toured Aleppo, engaging with humanitarian workers and religious leaders who advocated for peace and cessation of foreign terrorist support.
- Her meetings included discussions with Walid al-Muallem, Syria's foreign minister, and renewed interactions with President Assad, indicating her focus on high-level diplomatic engagement.
- The itinerary also included interactions with Syrian political opposition leaders, reflecting an attempt to engage with diverse perspectives within Syria's political landscape.
- The outcomes of Gabbard's meetings sparked significant controversy and debate over U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding engagement with Assad's government.
- International reactions to her meetings varied, with some viewing it as a necessary dialogue for peace while others criticized it as legitimizing Assad.
- Gabbard's visit highlighted the complex dynamics of the Syrian conflict and raised questions about the role of U.S. diplomacy in war-torn regions.
3. 🤝 Gabbard's Intentions and Justifications
- Gabbard's visit to Syria was framed as a fact-finding mission, organized by peace advocates to convey the American people's concern and to gain a firsthand understanding of the situation.
- The meeting with Assad, which was not part of the original itinerary, was added due to the rapidly evolving political landscape, aiming to explore peace possibilities and express concern for the Syrian people's suffering.
- Her actions were intended to foster dialogue and understanding, although they were met with mixed reactions, highlighting the complexity and controversy of engaging with Assad.
4. 🛡️ Gabbard's Foreign Policy Views and Proposed Legislation
4.1. Gabbard's Foreign Policy Views
4.2. Gabbard's Legislative Actions
5. 🔍 Potential Impact as Director of National Intelligence
- Gabbard would oversee a $100 billion annual US intelligence budget, highlighting her significant influence on national security priorities.
- Responsible for daily presidential briefings, she would shape the President's understanding of sensitive intelligence matters, impacting decisions on critical issues like Syria.
- A core focus would be on ending wars and enhancing national security through 'peace via strength,' emphasizing strategic peace-building initiatives.
- Her role would include balancing aggressive national defense strategies with diplomatic efforts to ensure American safety and global stability.