Donald Trump Declares Victory In Syria, Orders Withdrawal Of All US Troops

Donald Trump declares victory in Syria

The New York Times reports that Donald Trump has declared victory in Syria, and ordered a complete withdrawal of all U.S. ground troops within the next 30 days.

Trump tweeted that he was won the 4-year war on ISIS in the war-torn country.

“We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency,” the president said in a Twitter post on Wednesday morning. He offered no details on his plans for the military mission, nor a larger strategy, in Syria.

But Pentagon officials who had sought to talk the president out of the decision as late as Wednesday morning argued that such a move would betray Kurdish allies who have fought alongside American troops in Syria and who could find themselves under attack in a military offensive now threatened by Turkey.

We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018

I'm not a military expert, and won't pretend to be, but I do know when ending a military mission there needs to be communication and planning.

Plenty of folks, like Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, were blindsided by the sudden surprise announcement:

The decision to pull out of Syria was made despite overwhelming military advice against it.

It is a major blunder. It it isn’t reversed it will haunt this administration & America for years to come.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 19, 2018

Withdrawal of this small American force in Syria would be a huge Obama-like mistake. https://t.co/atsjHUyJlB

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 19, 2018

With all due respect, ISIS is not defeated in Syria, Iraq, and after just returning from visiting there -- certainly not Afghanistan.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 19, 2018

.@RepKinzinger on Trump's Syria cut-and-run: “History will look at that as one of the stupidest strategic moves before a negotiation. In order to have a successful diplomatic outcome, you have to have a military option and a military presence.” https://t.co/gmvzQrzofc

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) December 19, 2018

Trump gave Putin a big Christmas present this year: Syria.

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) December 19, 2018

White House Press Secretary Caught Trying To Fudge "War Room" Pic

White House Press Secretary tweeted out the above message and photo in an attempt to show Donald Trump in a strong, military moment.

Unfortunately, her tweet was misleading because Vice President Mike Pence (pictured on Trump's right in the photo) was in Peru at the time of the Syria bombings.

What she really wanted was a "bin Laden war room pic," but the reality is there isn't one.

So she tried to fudge it hoping folks wouldn't notice.

Folks noticed...

Fun fact: This picture is NOT from last night as Mike Pence is mysteriously in the room while also out of the country.

There is NOTHING @PressSec won't lie about. https://t.co/k2YBVBFdHv

— Alex Singer (@AlexCSinger16) April 15, 2018

Pence is in this photo.
Pence was in Peru.
Nothing @PressSec says or posts is true.
Ever.
And we pay her salary. https://t.co/iFvbRcpGCP

— andy lassner (@andylassner) April 15, 2018

Trump Backtracks On Syrian Missile Strike Threat

Donald Trump

Donald Trump backtracked today on his previous Twitter rant threatening Russia and Syria with a missile strike saying that an airstrike wasn't necessarily imminent.

“Never said when an attack on Syria would take place,” Trump tweeted this morning. “Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS."

Trump curiously asked for praise from Americans for doing his job: "Where is our ’Thank you America?’”

Trump yesterday:

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Trump today:

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2018

Trump Threatens Syria & Russia: Our Missiles "Will Be Coming, Nice And New And "Smart!"

Donald Trump appeared to threaten Syria and Russia Wednesday morning in a tweet post that vowed missiles fired at Syria "will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!'"

From The New York Times:

President Trump put Syria and Russia on notice Wednesday morning in a Twitter post, promising that missiles fired at Syria “will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’” and telling the Kremlin that it should not partner with a “Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!” After the threat, the president said in a separate tweet that relations between the United States and Russia are worse than ever.

On Tuesday, the Russian ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, warned the United States and its allies that any missiles fired at Syria would be shot down, according to a Reuters report. There were already indications that Syria was moving key aircraft to a Russian base in the Mediterranean Sea, taking pains to protect important weapons systems.

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this. Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Remember when Trump said attacking Syria would lead to "very bad things happening?"

AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2013

And remember when Trump tweeted that "broadcasting" our military moves wasn't smart?

Why do we keep broadcasting when we are going to attack Syria. Why can't we just be quiet and, if we attack at all, catch them by surprise?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

@walaa_3ssaf No, dopey, I would not go into Syria, but if I did it would be by surprise and not blurted all over the media like fools.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013

Trump Threatens "Big Price To Pay" For Syrian Chemical Attack

For the first time in his presidency, Donald Trump called out Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection to a chemical gas attack in Syria that killed at least 70 dead and more injured.

From The New York Times:

President Trump on Sunday promised a “big price” to be paid for what he said was a chemical weapons attack that choked dozens of Syrians to death the day before, and a top White House official said the administration would not rule out a missile strike to retaliate against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a tweet, Mr. Trump laid the blame for the attack partly on President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, the first time since his election that he has criticized the Russian leader by name on Twitter. Mr. Putin’s forces have been fighting for years to keep the Assad government in power amid Syria’s brutal civil war.

Mr. Trump also left no doubt that he believed the assessment of aid groups that Mr. Assad’s military had used chemical weapons to inflict the carnage on Saturday in Douma, a rebel-held suburb of Damascus.

The Times goes on to report that the White House has not ruled out a missile strike response among options available to the U.S.

The United Nations Security Council has announced it will hold emergency meeting Monday in light of the chemical attack.

According to reports, Trump has been mulling over pulling all U.S. military out of Syria. Observers are now curious to see if the Donald follows through on that considering these developments.

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

....to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

.@POTUS's pledge to withdraw from #Syria has only emboldened Assad, backed by Russia & Iran, to commit more war crimes in #Douma. @POTUS responded after last year's chemical attack. He should do so again & make Assad pay a price for his brutality. https://t.co/u30kF0ww8g

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) April 8, 2018

Your telegraphed intention to withdraw from Syria and disregard for basic human rights is worse than Obama’s unenforced red line. You enabled Assad and Putin’s escalating mass atrocities against Syrian children and other civilians. Now, you bear responsibility. https://t.co/X0DJXIKkCm

— Evan McMullin (@Evan_McMullin) April 8, 2018

And, of course, war hawk Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to go to war so bad:

After Pres. Trump tweeted about the apparent chemical attack in Syria, Sen. Lindsey Graham tells @MarthaRaddatz: “If [the president] doesn’t follow through and live up to that tweet, he’s going to look weak in the eyes of Russia and Iran. This is a defining moment.” pic.twitter.com/hzWihueyfq

— ABC News (@ABC) April 8, 2018

News Roundup: July 25, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Let's hear it for the bears! Furball in focus (above).

• According to a new USA Today poll, Americans are split 42% yes/42% no on whether President Trump should be impeached.

• The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army, or TQILA, is a newly-formed LGBT-centric unit of volunteers who have joined the fight against ISIS in Syria.

These Faggots Kill Fascists! We shoot back! The Black & Pink and Rainbow flag fly in Raqqa. #Queers smashing the Caliphate. #TQILA #YPJ #YPG pic.twitter.com/eBCssrbjMI

— IRPGF (@IRPGF) July 24, 2017

• Trump says Attorney General Jeff Sessions only endorsed him for president because of his "massive numbers" at campaign rallies. #brutal

• Always on the lookout for new out music? Check out this list of summer tunes by LGBT artists.

• Mark Ruffalo shared this pic of Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston cuddling with Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi on a recent flight. #Grrrr

Living the dream, dreaming of living. #thorragnarok #sdcc2017

A post shared by Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo) on Jul 22, 2017 at 1:57pm PDT

CBS News: US & Russia To Announce Ceasefire In Syria

DEVELOPING: The U.S. and Russia are reportedly going to announce a ceasefire in Syria on Sunday at noon https://t.co/vNwMvx0KHj pic.twitter.com/Rgd9ZSmjnE

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 7, 2017

Russian Warships Enter Mediterranean Where U.S. Navy Destroyers Are Located

Newsweek reports that Russia has deployed it's most advanced Black Sea warship to where the U.S. Navy destroyers that launched last night's attack on a Syrian air field are currently located.

Russia deployed its most advanced Black Sea frigate Friday into the eastern Mediterranean, where U.S. Navy destroyers had launched an airstrike earlier that day against the Moscow-backed Syrian military. As Russian leadership condemned the U.S.’ first intentional attack on the military of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since the country’s six-year conflict began, Russia’s Admiral Grigorovich frigate reportedly left its port of Sevastopol, Crimea, and headed toward the U.S. destroyers USS Porter and USS Ross.

Russia’s 4,000-ton warship came equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, one of Moscow’s latest and most deadly high-tech projectiles, and was headed to dock in the Syrian city of Tartus, according to Russia’s official TASS News Agency. The ship’s movement was also confirmed by Turkish ship spotter Yoruk Isik, who told the U.S. Naval Institute’s news agency that the ship had crossed the Bosphorus Strait only nine days after docking from a previous Mediterranean voyage.

BREAKING NEWS: Russian warships enter Mediterranean following U.S. air strike in Syria. pic.twitter.com/qq2MtFhkPn

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) April 7, 2017

Hillary Clinton: We Cannot Speak Of Protecting Syrian Babies And Then Close America's Doors To Them

Hillary Clinton called for military action against Syria on Thursday, ahead of President Trump's bombing of the Syrian airbase last night.

Trump shared with the nation that he was moved by the suffering of babies who died slow deaths due to a chemical weapons attack by President Bashar al-Assad on his own people.

Hillary took things a step further today, connecting the dots (and logic) by saying:

"But the action taken last night needs to be followed by a broader strategy to end Syria's civil war. And to eliminate ISIS' strongholds on both sides of the border.

"So I hope this administration will move forward in a way that is both strategic and consistent with our values.

"And I also hope that they will recognize that we cannot in one breath speak of protecting Syrian babies, and in the next close America's doors to them."

Perfect.

Watch below:

Clinton: "We cannot in one breath speak of protecting Syrian babies and in the next close America's doors to them" https://t.co/f1bcEinG3N

— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 7, 2017

Alt-Right Breaks Up With Donald Trump Over Syrian Bombing

The Alt-Right crowd is breaking up with President Trump over his bombing of Syria last night.

Laura Ingraham, David Duke, Mike Cernovich, InfoWars, and more all shared their deep disappointment in the man who once tweeted 24 times about NOT going in Syria.

The frog breakup. pic.twitter.com/Nc8mfMsEyE

— The Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) April 7, 2017

Trump got elected cuz he repeatedly said "Stay the hell out of Syria."

80 days as Prez & he's already bombing Syria?

Can't believe him.

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) April 7, 2017

Media THRILLED that Trump is destroying his presidency.

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) April 7, 2017

Missiles flying. Rubio's happy. McCain ecstatic. Hillary's on board. A complete policy change in 48 hrs.

— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) April 7, 2017

It's been fun lads, but the fun is over. I'll be focusing my efforts on Le Pen, who tried to warn Trump against this disaster.

— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) April 7, 2017

President Trump Orders Military Strike On Syria In Response To Chemical Attack

From CNN:

The United States launched a military strike Thursday on a Syrian government target in response to their chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians earlier in the week.

On President Donald Trump's orders, US warships launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian government airbase where the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks were based, US officials said.

The strike is the first direct military action the US has taken against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's six-year civil war and represent a substantial escalation of the US' military campaign in the region, which could be interpreted by the Syrian government as an act of war.

"Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the air field in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched," Trump said during short remarks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, where he ordered the strike just hours earlier. "It is in this vital national security of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons."

He added: "There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council. Years of previous attempts at changing Assad's behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically."

Trump's decision marked a dramatic shift in his position on whether the US should take military action against the Syrian President's regime -- which Trump opposed during his campaign for president -- and came after the President was visibly and publicly moved by the images of this week's chemical weapons attack.

In 2013, when Bashar al-Assad killed over 1,400 of his own people with chemical weapons, Trump (as a private citizen) tweeted more than 20 times that President Obama should stay out of Syria.

Watch below from CBS News:

President Trump Considering Military Action Against Syria

President Trump, who spent years tweeting President Obama to not get involved with Syria, is now telling members of Congress he is considering military action there in light of the recent chemical attack by Syrian President Bashar al Assad on his own citizens which left over 75 dead.

According to reports, Trump is looking to Defense Secretary Mattis for guidance on the possible military action.

From CNN:

US officials tell CNN the Pentagon has long-standing options to strike Syria’s chemical weapons capability and has presented those options to the administration. The sources stressed a decision has not been made.

Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham issued a joint statement Thursday calling for military action, recommending an international coalition “to ground Assad’s air force.”

“We agree with the President that Assad has crossed a line with his latest use of chemical weapons. The message from the United States must be that this will not stand. We must show that no foreign power can or will protect Assad now. He must pay a punitive cost for this horrific attack,” they said.

In 2013, when Assad used chemical weapons on his own people leaving over 1,400 dead, Trump was adamant that the U.S. should not get involved in the civil war there.

Here's just some of his tweets regarding Syria then. I guess it all looks very different when you're the president.

We should stay the hell out of Syria, the "rebels" are just as bad as the current regime. WHAT WILL WE GET FOR OUR LIVES AND $ BILLIONS?ZERO

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2013

If the U.S. attacks Syria and hits the wrong targets, killing civilians, there will be worldwide hell to pay. Stay away and fix broken U.S.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2013

"@BigSexyBDAvis: @realDonaldTrump mr trump would attack Syria or no?" No, lets make our country great again as they fight their war!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2013

What I am saying is stay out of Syria.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2013

AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2013

President Obama, do not attack Syria. There is no upside and tremendous downside. Save your "powder" for another (and more important) day!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2013

Don't attack Syria - an attack that will bring nothing but trouble for the U.S. Focus on making our country strong and great again!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2013

News Round-Up: April 5, 2017

Click pic to enlarge

Some news items you may have missed:

• If you ever needed a reason to love rugby: the above pic of the Canterbury Bulldogs/Brisbane Broncos match last week has gone viral, and I'm sure you see why :)

• Eighteen Senate Republicans have penned a letter to President Trump asking him to legalize anti-LGBT discrimination.

• Even though North Carolina got past the NCAA with the fake repeal of anti-LGBT law HB2, several cities - New York City, Oakland, Seattle, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Salt Lake City and Cincinnati - have not lifted their travel bans to the Tar Heel state.

• There are reports that SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch plagiarized parts of his 2006 book from a 1984 law review article. #RuhRoh

• President Trump says the latest use of chemical weapons by Syria's president on his own people "crossed a lot of lines" for Trump. While that sounds like he may get involved in Syria it would be a reversal for the man who encouraged President Obama to stay out of Syria during his presidency.

• Gerald McCullouch (CSI, Bear City, Daddy) recently premiered his new documentary All Male, All Nude about the backstage doings at Atlanta’s Swinging Richards, nicknamed “the only gay strip club in the heart of the The Bible Belt.” Check out the official website for more info, and you can watch the trailer below:

Trump Attacks Obama For Doing Nothing In Syria; In 2013 Told Obama "Do Not Attack Syria"

I guess it's a lot harder when you're actually president, huh?

In light of the recent chemical attack in Syria that killed dozens, including women and children, Donald Trump issued the following statement:

Today's chemical attack in Syria against innocent people, including women and children, is reprehensible and cannot be ignored by the civilized world. These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration's weakness and irresolution. President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a "red line" against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable attack.

Sounds big and tough, no?

But back in 2013 it was Donald Trump telling President Obama, on more than one occasion, to not attack Syria.

AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2013

President Obama, do not attack Syria. There is no upside and tremendous downside. Save your "powder" for another (and more important) day!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2013

Gov. Chris Christie: I Wouldn't Allow A 5 Year Old Orphan From Syria Into The US

Flailing GOP White House hopeful and current New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, speaking on the Hugh Hewitt radio show, puts on his tough act saying he wouldn't even allow a 5 year old orphan from Syria into the United States.

The Syrian Refugee Crisis Explained

From In A Nutshell, check out this easy to understand video that explains the broader issue of events in Syria, plus dives into the role of the neighboring countries regarding aid and offering (or not) asylum to refugees.

Really worth the watch.

President Obama: We're Going To "Take This Fight To This Terrorist Group For The Security of the Country"

President Obama spoke to the nation today after a coalition of Arab allies joined the US in strategic airstrikes against ISIS in Syria last night.

The President's comments precede his trip to NYC where he will ask the United Nations General Assembly for more support in the anti-ISIS campaign.

From NBC News:

“America’s proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these nations on behalf of our common security,” the president said. “The strength of this coalition makes it clear to the world that this is not America’s fight alone.”

He reiterated that support for moderate opposition forces in Syria, who are fighting both ISIS and the regime of President Bashar Assad, is the “best counterweight” against the militants.

“The overall effort will take time,” Obama said. “There will be challenges ahead, but we’re going to do what’s necessary to take the fight to this terrorist group for the security of the country, the region and the entire world.”

Besides hitting ISIS targets, the United States, acting alone, struck training camps and other facilities belonging to a little-known network of seasoned al Qaeda veterans known as the Khorasan Group. Obama said that those strikes demonstrate to the world that “we will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people.”

He thanked the pilots who flew the missions “with the courage and professionalism that we’ve come to expect from the finest military that the world has ever known.”

US and Russia come to agreement on Syrian chemical weapons

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said announced an ambitious plan to transfer Syria's massive chemical weapons stockpile to international control by the middle of next year, at which point they would be destroyed.

A potential U.N. Security Council resolution could authorize sanctions — even military action — if President Bashar Assad's government fails to comply.

Kerry said any violations will result in "measures" from the Security Council, while Lavrov said the violations must be sent to the Security Council from the board of the chemical weapons convention before sanctions — short of the use of force — would be considered.

"Any violations of procedures ... would be looked at by the Security Council and if they are approved, the Security Council would take the required measures, concrete measures," Lavrov said. "Nothing is said about the use of force or about any automatic sanctions. All violations should be approved by the Security Council."

Several questions remain, including how realistic is it to assume chemical weapons can be rounded  up in the middle of a civil war.

(source)

Russian President Putin writes op-ed in NY Times regarding Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has written an op-ed for the New York Times entitled A Plea For Caution From Russia.

An excerpt:

No one doubts that poison gas was used in Syria. But there is every reason to believe it was used not by the Syrian Army, but by opposition forces, to provoke intervention by their powerful foreign patrons, who would be siding with the fundamentalists. Reports that militants are preparing another attack — this time against Israel — cannot be ignored.

It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us.”

But force has proved ineffective and pointless. Afghanistan is reeling, and no one can say what will happen after international forces withdraw. Libya is divided into tribes and clans. In Iraq the civil war continues, with dozens killed each day. In the United States, many draw an analogy between Iraq and Syria, and ask why their government would want to repeat recent mistakes.

Later, he closes with:

If we can avoid force against Syria, this will improve the atmosphere in international affairs and strengthen mutual trust. It will be our shared success and open the door to cooperation on other critical issues.

My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust. I appreciate this. I carefully studied his address to the nation on Tuesday. And I would rather disagree with a case he made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.

Read the full essay here.

It will be interesting to see the response from both the political world and the pundits in terms of  Putin's argument and that he used the New York Times to present it.

(via JMG)

NASDAQ hits 13 year high as tensions ease on Syria

Stocks ended higher Tuesday with the tech-laden Nasdaq composite hitting a 13-year high and the Dow Jones industrial average adding nearly 130 points as concerns about Syria eased.

The Dow Jones closed up 129 points, 0.9%, to 15,192 -- a four week high, and the benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 12 points, 0.7%, to end at 1,684 -- also a four-week high.

The Nasdaq closed up 23 points, 0.6%, to 3,729, its highest close since 2000 and 5 points shy of an all-time closing high.

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