美军将领吐言:接受美国训练且仍然和ISIS作战的人员目前 ...

  美国右翼的Fox News 的头条新闻

这个新闻的大意是说接受美国训练的反阿萨德的武装人员目前仍然在战斗前线的大概也只有4-5人,原先的计划是2015年美军训练5,400人来打击ISIS,但是首批接受训练的54个人在被叙利亚盖达恐怖分子打击后目前仍然在战斗的人只有4-5人.

[[我个人的感觉是美军上层是不是有人故意让奥巴马难堪??]]

Commander admits size of US-trained Syrian fighting force at ‘4 or 5’

The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East admitted Wednesday that only "four or five" U.S.-trained fighters remain on the battlefield in Syria, leading to accusations from lawmakers that the program is a "joke" and "total failure."

Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of the U.S. Central Command, addressed the state of the so-called "train and equip" mission in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The original goal for the first year was to train roughly 5,400 fighters to take on the Islamic State. But the first group of 54 U.S.-trained fighters was attacked by a Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, which killed and captured several of them and sent others fleeing.

For the first time Wednesday, the U.S. military acknowledged hardly any remain.

"It's a small number. The ones that are in the fight ... we're talking four or five," Austin told lawmakers, admitting the military will not reach its training goal this year.

The admission inflamed criticism that's been simmering for months.

While more Syrians are in training, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., suggested it may be time for a new plan. And she challenged the Pentagon's request for $600 million for more training next year.

"We're counting on our fingers and toes at this point," she said of the trained fighters.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., suggested the Pentagon shift to supporting other countries operating in the region like Turkey.

"This four or five U.S.-trained fighters -- let's not kid ourselves, that's a joke," she said.

The witnesses acknowledged the shortcomings with the program but suggested it is salvageable.

"They will figure out a way to get the job done one way or the other," Austin said of U.S. trainers.

Christine Wormuth, under secretary of defense for policy, said the mission is part of a "broader effort" and those getting training can be "force multipliers" for other groups on the ground.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., though, said: "We have to acknowledge this was a total failure. ... I wish it weren't so, but that's a fact."

The congressional criticism of the training mission made up just part of the severe concerns lawmakers voiced about the state of the anti-ISIS fight. They grilled Austin and Wormuth about the growing refugee crisis in Europe stoked by unrest in Syria; the Russian military build-up in Syria in support of the Assad regime; and allegations that intelligence on ISIS and other militant groups in Syria was manipulated to exaggerate progress being made against them.

On the latter charge, Austin vowed Wednesday to take "appropriate action" if an investigation indicates that senior defense officials altered intelligence reports.

A Defense Department inspector general began an investigation into the matter after an intelligence officer at the Central Command lodged a complaint in July. In his first remarks about the allegations, Austin said he welcomed the inspector general's investigation, but that he could not comment directly until the review was over.

  美国右翼的Fox News 的头条新闻

这个新闻的大意是说接受美国训练的反阿萨德的武装人员目前仍然在战斗前线的大概也只有4-5人,原先的计划是2015年美军训练5,400人来打击ISIS,但是首批接受训练的54个人在被叙利亚盖达恐怖分子打击后目前仍然在战斗的人只有4-5人.

[[我个人的感觉是美军上层是不是有人故意让奥巴马难堪??]]

Commander admits size of US-trained Syrian fighting force at ‘4 or 5’

The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East admitted Wednesday that only "four or five" U.S.-trained fighters remain on the battlefield in Syria, leading to accusations from lawmakers that the program is a "joke" and "total failure."

Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of the U.S. Central Command, addressed the state of the so-called "train and equip" mission in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The original goal for the first year was to train roughly 5,400 fighters to take on the Islamic State. But the first group of 54 U.S.-trained fighters was attacked by a Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, which killed and captured several of them and sent others fleeing.

For the first time Wednesday, the U.S. military acknowledged hardly any remain.

"It's a small number. The ones that are in the fight ... we're talking four or five," Austin told lawmakers, admitting the military will not reach its training goal this year.

The admission inflamed criticism that's been simmering for months.

While more Syrians are in training, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., suggested it may be time for a new plan. And she challenged the Pentagon's request for $600 million for more training next year.

"We're counting on our fingers and toes at this point," she said of the trained fighters.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., suggested the Pentagon shift to supporting other countries operating in the region like Turkey.

"This four or five U.S.-trained fighters -- let's not kid ourselves, that's a joke," she said.

The witnesses acknowledged the shortcomings with the program but suggested it is salvageable.

"They will figure out a way to get the job done one way or the other," Austin said of U.S. trainers.

Christine Wormuth, under secretary of defense for policy, said the mission is part of a "broader effort" and those getting training can be "force multipliers" for other groups on the ground.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., though, said: "We have to acknowledge this was a total failure. ... I wish it weren't so, but that's a fact."

The congressional criticism of the training mission made up just part of the severe concerns lawmakers voiced about the state of the anti-ISIS fight. They grilled Austin and Wormuth about the growing refugee crisis in Europe stoked by unrest in Syria; the Russian military build-up in Syria in support of the Assad regime; and allegations that intelligence on ISIS and other militant groups in Syria was manipulated to exaggerate progress being made against them.

On the latter charge, Austin vowed Wednesday to take "appropriate action" if an investigation indicates that senior defense officials altered intelligence reports.

A Defense Department inspector general began an investigation into the matter after an intelligence officer at the Central Command lodged a complaint in July. In his first remarks about the allegations, Austin said he welcomed the inspector general's investigation, but that he could not comment directly until the review was over.