Scott PetersonVerified account

@peterson__scott

Journalist, The Christian Science Monitor; photographer, Getty Images; author of Let the Swords Encircle Me: Iran–A Journey Behind the Headlines

Across the Middle East...
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Joined June 2011
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  1. Retweeted
    Dec 20

    In his letter, Mattis emphasizes the importance of allies, internat'l cooperation, & effective competition with Russia & China & says he's quitting because Trump doesn't believe in these things. "You have the right to have a SecDef whose views are better aligned with yours." Wow!

    27 replies 262 retweets 434 likes
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  2. Retweeted
    Dec 20

    "We're certain this is a deliberate act to disrupt the airfield." Gatwick flights have been suspended since drones were spotted last night. Airport police are still searching for the operator. Follow live updates as passengers face travel chaos:

    Police searching for drone operator
    42 replies 32 retweets 50 likes
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  3. Retweeted
    Dec 20

    More brilliant election analysis from What was it like trying to vote in this year? Half of the electorate couldn't register, only a third made it to the polls. They faced Taleban threats, administrative chaos, alleged cheating

    1 retweet 1 like
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  4. Retweeted
    Dec 20

    Hallelujah! I need my Iranian yogurt!

    The US has reportedly granted Iraq a new 90-day waiver on Iran sanctions, just as the original 45-day waiver was set to expire.
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    2 replies 2 retweets 5 likes
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  5. Dec 20

    “Demanding forces leave as part of a negotiated settlement was a boldly unrealistic demand in the first place, but to stick to that position now would look absurd": to

    1 reply 9 retweets 7 likes
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  6. Dec 20

    “The hawk wing of the US government’s foreign policy establishment ought to feel betrayed by this decision too”: to US diplomats shaken by Trump decision to exit via

    1 reply 4 retweets 7 likes
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  7. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    1/ I have been trying to reach my contacts in Northern Syria since the news broke about withdrawal of U.S. troops. Everyone I am talking to is confused. No one knows what is going on but they fear the worst.

    38 replies 608 retweets 742 likes
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  8. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Despite cosmic oyveys from neocons/liberal interventionists, the US mission in Syria lacks focus and clarity beyond keeping ISIS down. Putin, Assad and Iran have already won. What is the purpose of 2000 forces; and what is our end game. If we don't know, what are we doing there?

    13 replies 49 retweets 53 likes
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  9. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    If US forces do begin withdrawal from , need to watch for possible increased attacks by against ’s assets on the ground (Israel long disgruntled by US “inaction”). ’s response to such possible escalation will be crucial in setting red lines on both sides

    1 reply 4 retweets 4 likes
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  10. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Many alarmed that ’s declared withdrawal of troops from =“gift to ”. But very difficult to see how US military presence over past yrs has significantly rolled back Iranian assets on the ground & how it possibly could under Trump admin?

    1 reply 3 retweets 10 likes
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  11. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    For an extended recap of all the flipping and the flopping in Syria policy under Trump, here you go:

    The Making and Unmaking of Syria Strategy under Trump - read my new report for !
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    1 reply 9 retweets 10 likes
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  12. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    There's a substantial amount of infrastructure to remove from NE , if the U.S. is truly to leave altogether within 100 days. Until now, some U.S. military bases were expanding in size & scope. New airstrips, heavier weapons systems. Perhaps some covert SOF will remain...

    3 replies 29 retweets 34 likes
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  13. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Not really. Nothing the Trump administration was doing in Syria offered a serious prospect of pushing back Iran, there or elsewhere.

    The other big US policy loser here, of course, is Pompeo/Bolton/Hook’s Iran policy of “maximum pressure.”
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    2 replies 3 retweets 11 likes
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  14. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Trump and Erdogan talk last Friday. Since then: - US clears the sale of Patriot missiles to Turkey - US starts pulling troops out of Syria - US gives State personnel 24 hours to leave Syria That's one hell of a phone call

    279 replies 2,463 retweets 3,889 likes
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  15. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    First, with an estimated 30,000 fighters still on the ground, is far from defeated in Syria. Signs of an incipient insurgency are already emerging-let's not forget the lessons learned from Anbar in

    2 replies 12 retweets 19 likes
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  16. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Great thread by team ( , , , , ) on and what’s come out of the talks in Sweden. We’re hopeful but realistic about the next steps and recognize the hard work that’s to come.

    THREAD There is a lot of confusion about what the ceasefire announced means, how it fits into what happened in Sweden, and what that means for wider peace process. My colleagues and I had a crack at breaking it down 👇
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    1 reply 5 retweets 4 likes
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  17. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Our most recent assessment shows that is far from defeated

    ISIS is not defeated in Syria. It controls territory, retains significant fighting forces and is reconstituting those forces. ISW’s assessment of the footprint in / as of last month (update to follow):
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    30 replies 273 retweets 261 likes
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  18. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    Pundits can feast for weeks on the on-the-record statements by senior administration officials on Syria that Trump just blew up. Here's from Dec. 11: "If we've learned one thing over the years...we can't just pick up and leave."

    1 reply 25 retweets 39 likes
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  19. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    I wonder how John Bolton is feeling this morning. It's been less than three months since he announced the US would not leave Syria unless and until Iran did.

    482 replies 2,599 retweets 6,067 likes
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  20. Retweeted
    Dec 19

    The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Dec. 18 that the U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of 80 missiles and other equipment to at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion.

    3 replies 23 retweets 16 likes
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