John Block Reports from Washington

Hello everybody out there in farm country.  This radio commentary is brought to you by the National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, and Renewable Fuels Association.  They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America.  Thank you.

And now for today’s commentary –

Kurdish fighters are moving to North Eastern Syria.  Turkey is moving in to their position.  U.S. Troops are pulling out of that region of Syria and for two weeks Republican and Democrat politicians have been screaming from the rafters that President Trump’s decision leaves our allies- the Kurds - at risk of deadly Turkish attack.  Now the Islamic state could rebuild its power in the Middle East.  Also, Russia will expand their influence.

Well, lets just see what happens.  President Trump said in his campaign that he wanted to stop fighting endless wars.  He said one year ago that he wanted out of Syria.  Thousands of our young men and women have died fighting wars in the Middle East.  We have spent trillions of dollars.  It is about time the President said, “enough is enough.”  Trump sent Vice President Pence to Turkey to negotiate a truce.  At least for now the truce seems to be holding. 

Now the burden of providing stability and peace in that region is falling on the shoulders of other countries.  Maybe Syrian President Assad will help to eradicate the Islamic State fighters and Turkey, our ally and a member of the European Union can step up and police the northern Syrian border.  Even Russia may accept some responsibility.  There is so much destruction in some of those countries and people without homes.  Let someone else clean up and rebuild.  We already are delivering food and humanitarian aid.  Yes – we will still have a small number of troops in the Middle East but it’s time to pack up and come home.  I remember the Vietnam War and the lives and money lost.  We don’t need to police the whole world.      

Turn the page – corn growers and the ethanol industry are not happy with the exemptions given to small refineries.  EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is promising “the agency will ensure that the fifteen billion gallon ethanol target will be met next year.”  This dispute is not over. 

Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer tells us – “U.S. and China are making great progress” toward reaching a trade deal.  We’ll end on that positive note. 

 Until next week, this John Block reporting from Washington, D.C.  If you would like to review my radio shows going back more than 20 years, just go on-line to www.johnblockreports.com.