Either ISIS is stupid beyond reckoning, or something stinks in Syria

This thread is about the explosion that happened today in Syria that killed 4 servicemen, but not about the event itself (which I know a thread has already been generated detailing the event). This thread, which I'll keep short, is about something that just seems wrong with the whole thing to me, so I thought to put it out to the community to see what some think.

Now, intrinsic to the site and community is a general belief among the members that conspiracies happen, are real, are malevolent and hidden. So when I saw this story on the news (literally, just now), I just thought that this didn't make any sense. Now I'm not saying that those fighting on behalf of ISIS are exactly a brain trust, but let's assume for a minute that you're an ISIS commander. Then, hallelujah, the largest and most powerful military in the world announces that it is leaving the fight! You'd be doing backflips! Of course, you'd be watching the news and seeing how unpopular the decision has been within the world community, that the man who has to the power to and ultimately made the decision (President Trump) is undergoing intense scrutiny and criticism for his decision, so what do you do??? Why kill 4 Americans, of course, before their departure. Nope.

Either that was the dumbest move in the entire history of warfare, or this reaks of the chemical weapon "red-line" that Assad then immediately crossed.

Thoughts...?

Someone trying to make the US military stay.

Or, someone really wanted to meet Allah, Mohamed, and those 70 virgins.

originally posted by: Wardaddy454
Someone trying to make the US military stay.

Or, someone really wanted to meet Allah, Mohamed, and those 70 virgins.

Yeah, I'm not saying it's not the latter, of course, most certainly could be, but it would certainly be helpful for anyone who wants America to stay. Just my thoughts...

a reply to: TheElectricPriest

Just a quick off-topic note about stars and flags. They're interesting in their dynamic. I jumped back on to do some thread maintenance (being the OP) and I saw that I have 5 flags but still only one response (save for my own). I just think that's interesting because I often see many responses with few flags or vice versa. I wonder what drives the one and not the other...

a reply to: TheElectricPriest

Ha! Ok, I'm pretty sure that people are now just giving flags to screw with me (which is actually pretty damned funny)...

originally posted by: TheElectricPriest
a reply to: TheElectricPriest

Ha! Ok, I'm pretty sure that people are now just giving flags to screw with me (which is actually pretty damned funny)...

Or people liked the OP and had nothing to add....

originally posted by: theatreboy

originally posted by: TheElectricPriest
a reply to: TheElectricPriest

Ha! Ok, I'm pretty sure that people are now just giving flags to screw with me (which is actually pretty damned funny)...

Or people liked the OP and had nothing to add....

Yeah, I thought of that, but I think the other way is funnier...

I believe ISIS is stupid beyond reckoning and something stinks in Syria. That U.S. troops are there at all, for starters.

Perhaps this was some sort of false flag operation to try to escalate U.S. involvement, but the history of the Islamic State is an epic tale of delusional thinking, mad-dog murder sprees and suicidal psychosis. A spiteful, opportunistic attack, regardless of rational strategic considerations, is hardly out of character for them.

Ultimately, as with the Vietnam War, in an environment as confused and chaotic as the proxy war in Syria, the question of which form of lunacy is dominant has a way of becoming somewhat irrelevant.

originally posted by: Majic
I believe ISIS is stupid beyond reckoning and something stinks in Syria. That U.S. troops are there at all, for starters.

Perhaps this was some sort of false flag operation to try to escalate U.S. involvement, but the history of the Islamic State is an epic tale of delusional thinking, mad-dog murder sprees and suicidal psychosis. A spiteful, opportunistic attack, regardless of rational strategic considerations, is hardly out of character for them.

Ultimately, as with the Vietnam War, in an environment as confused and chaotic as the proxy war in Syria, the question of which form of lunacy is dominant has a way of becoming somewhat irrelevant.

Holy crap! An actual response...it's like Christmas! lol...seriously, thanks for your reply. I can't say with any sort of certainty that this was a false flag, but if it wasn't I'd be shocked because the shear stupidity of the move would be...breathtaking. I know that we can defend it as a genuine attack because ISIS and the like can be so completely illogical, but it's still hard to imagine. I served in the Army for 10 years, so maybe I'm biased by actual experience and training, but certainly such an attack would have been planned and approved by some sort of higher up. Typically the higher ups are thinkers, and any military commander would know that this is just about the worst idea that could be hatched...ever.

Ok, you may now resume with the flags...

a reply to: TheElectricPriest
The US staying in Syria is the best recruiting tool ISIS has. We are the infidel Crusaders invading their caliphate. If we leave, the money dries up and new recruits are suddenly non-existent. So they strike a grand blow against the western satan while at the same time they encourage their necessary enemy to stay. Think of it this way. Oncologists seek to eradicate cancer, but without cancer the oncologists would go bankrupt.

originally posted by: F4guy
a reply to: TheElectricPriest
The US staying in Syria is the best recruiting tool ISIS has. We are the infidel Crusaders invading their caliphate. If we leave, the money dries up and new recruits are suddenly non-existent. So they strike a grand blow against the western satan while at the same time they encourage their necessary enemy to stay. Think of it this way. Oncologists seek to eradicate cancer, but without cancer the oncologists would go bankrupt.

This is a very good point and one that I hadn't considered. Definitely lends a bit more sense to why they might want them to stay. Good job. Thanks...

a reply to: TheElectricPriest

If yoy ask Edward Snowden, he will tell you ISIS is controlled by the CIA, and point you to some online 2013 leaked classified NSA documents.

Islamic State is the Deep State.

a reply to: TheElectricPriest

I said in an earlier thread that the Syrian rebels stand the most to gain from a continuing or increased US presence in their war. Giving it a bit more thought, I don't know that there's much difference between those rebels and ISIS... most of the "rebels" this country armed and funded and John McCain physically embraced and broke bread with ended up being ISIS fighters (a fact I absolutely feel McCain knew at the time), so... yeah, maybe ISIS is that stupid or maybe they're that smart, depending on which flag they decide to wave if and when the US reverses course and returns to that battle.

originally posted by: imitator
a reply to: TheElectricPriest

If yoy ask Edward Snowden, he will tell you ISIS is controlled by the CIA, and point you to some online 2013 leaked classified NSA documents.

Islamic State is the Deep State.

Yeah...I agree, but this was something I didn't specifically get into because it would ultimately muddy the strictness of the topic. Even though I do believe that these groups are ultimately controlled, certainly at the "user" level, they are still fanatical believers (unaware of the control) and operating to some level autonomously.

Jeez...another good point. Ok, this is actually so complex because listening to y'all I realize how convoluted it could possibly be. I mean, does this ultimately help Trump? It actually good because it might be the impetus he needs to back out of his position, something I hadn't thought of. Damn, I'm getting a headache.

I remember when ISIS first became news.

President Obama wanted immunity from criminal prosecution for US troops in Iraq. The Iraqi president we installed essentially said, "No thanks. We don't really need your troops here anymore."

Suddenly, the "JV team" called ISIS was able to steamroll Iraqi forces and capture huge swaths of land. Seems Iraq needed US troops after all.

Coincidentally, now that US troops are leaving Syria, ISIS is a problem again.

A Chinese general once said, "I could do without friends, but I couldn't live without enemies."

a reply to: TheElectricPriest

To my way of thinking Assad would not want any more trouble than he needs. I dont see that he would want to rock the boat of an Americans retreat.

originally posted by: Azureblue
a reply to: TheElectricPriest

To my way of thinking Assad would not want any more trouble than he needs. I dont see that he would want to rock the boat of an Americans retreat.

That was exactly my point. Why would Assad specifically cross the one thing that Obama had said would engage the US military. "If you do this, we attack." Assad listens, then does it. Nope. It's stupid...and untrue.

might have been nothing more than one little group wanting one last shot at the yankees

might have been a 'we are still relevant' act in response to 'it's over we're leaving'.

so the conspiratorial theory is that Hassad's people pulled off a false flag attack to convince the US to stay?
they can play some deep stuff over there. some very diabolical clever people.

a reply to: imitator

AKA: ISIS IsUS