Thursday, April 5, 2018

Dan Coats, Syria, and ISIS

WC: The Magic Flute

A couple of Wheaton College alumni have been in the news recently: Evangelist, Billy Graham ;
and Dan Coates (class of '65), Director of National Intelligence under President Trump.

As much political experience as Mr Coates has (US Senator, US Representative, Ambassador to Germany), Christians must include him in their daily prayers to God. Why? Mr Coates and his department produce the daily briefing that the President gets every morning. Thus, Mr Coates' accuracy, wisdom, intelligence, honesty, and memory must never, ever be compromised. Mr Trump will base much of his decisions regarding national security and US interests abroad based on that daily report (definitely pray for President Trump also).

Regarding SYRIA:

U.S. makes decision on troops in Syria: intelligence chief

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. intelligence chief said on Wednesday that a decision had been made on the future of American troops in war-torn Syria and the White House would make it public soon.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said the decision was reached at an “all hands on deck” National Security Council meeting on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he wanted to “get out” of Syria but offered no timetable.

At the same time, Trump’s advisers warned of the hard work left to defeat Islamic State and stabilize areas recaptured from the hardline militant group.

Trump said at a news conference the United States would “not rest until ISIS is gone,” using an acronym for the militant group. But he also suggested that victory was imminent.

“It’s time,” Trump told reporters, when asked if he was inclined to withdraw American forces.

The Pentagon and State Department have said a longer term U.S. effort would be needed to ensure that Islamic State’s defeat is a lasting one.

Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by David Gregorio