Charles ListerVerified account

@Charles_Lister

Senior Fellow & Director of at . Author of . Following , armed groups, , & T/RT≠ endorsement.

Washington, DC
mei.edu/profile/charle…
Joined January 2012
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  1. Pinned Tweet
    Mar 18

    NEW -- " Says Is Defeated. Reality Says Otherwise" - My new article for takes a look at what remains of in & ... the news isn't good.

    14 replies 115 retweets 116 likes
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  2. 7 hours ago

    This "sectarian hawk" proposal to create " Army" was the work of 2 people - not some sizable mass of experts. Plus , don't spout off "sectarian" accusations, when much of your thread [wrongly/brashly] defines issues by sect/ethnicity.

    What I'm referring to is the option promoted by sectarian hawks of creating a sizeable, permanent base in east Syria to train a Sunni Army. I won't go over again what a horrible idea that was. I'll suffice with saying at the time of the decision, the long-term risks were known.
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    2 retweets 9 likes
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  3. 7 hours ago

    And there's little truth to this either. First off, "Sunni Arab groups" won the Jan-March 2014 war (in , , , & W. ) against before the U.S. even got involved. The decision was due to geography & issues.

    The problem, to be blunt, is that the US found Sunni Arab groups in Syria to be EXTREMELY unreliable & ineffective, & there was no effective Sunni Arab force in east Syria nor any realistic possibility of creating one even with a multi-year committment bring on numerous risks.
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    1 reply 7 retweets 11 likes
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  4. 7 hours ago

    Ummm - this is just wrong. And don't take my word for it, speak to folks who initiated the relationship. It wasn't a long thought-out strategy, but a tactical decision (in ) taken amid chaotic circumstances that, as time passed, became something a little more.

    What is missing from any post-hoc criticism of the PYD-reliant US campaign in eastern Syria v. IS is appreciation that these problems were foreseeable & weighed against alternatives that were even worse, & a PDY-reliant option was chosen with full knowledge of this.
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    1 reply 7 retweets 13 likes
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  5. 12 hours ago

    To be honest, it’s totally understandable that would see the likes of as a threat. After all, they’re in , where ’s jets are purposely hitting hospitals, schools & public markets in pinpoint airstrikes. A free press = threat to war criminals.

    CBS News crew + a "white helmet" (not wearing one, apparently) = another act of media warfare in the making. Or we are wrong, and those TV guys are just asking for directions to & to record…
    9 replies 68 retweets 108 likes
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  6. Jun 14

    So let me get this straight - the White Helmets () helped with de-mining efforts after 's invasion of ... so now some otherwise intelligent people in use that as evidence that they "assisted" in 's "combat operations." Seriously?

    15 replies 41 retweets 104 likes
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  7. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    's Coastal provinces have witnessed "a marked increase" in criminality, perpetrated by pro- militias. In March, 's own cousin escaped an arrest attempt & then shelled city "as a warning." Now -n police have deployed, in attempt to keep order.

    This article, by , gives an extremely important insight into newly deteriorating security dynamics within 's heartlands on 's Coast.…
    2 replies 21 retweets 30 likes
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  8. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    Next time you hear that regime is key to stability, pass on this excellent piece. One caveat. So far, none of this poses threat to regime. Yet. Coastal breakdown in Syria creates opportunities for Russia | Middle East Institute

    13 retweets 29 likes
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  9. Jun 14

    This is the most atrociously bad take on - riddled with errors in virtually every single paragraph. I wouldn't even know where to start.

    The Trump administration has made clear that it is reluctant to deal with the Salafi-jihadi threat in Idlib—and that puts Americans in danger. -- by …
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    3 replies 16 retweets 48 likes
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  10. Retweeted
    Jun 13

    New article from me for on how is taking advantage of a breakdown in security in the regime's coastal heartland.

    2 replies 19 retweets 24 likes
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  11. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    . “How central is Assad? He is the embodiment of this system, he is very central. The regime is made up of different personalities and families.”

    1 retweet 1 like
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  12. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    . "We have to dispel this perception that Assad is merely a puppet."

    10 retweets 9 likes
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  13. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    . "Assad said there should be a quota, 20 activists a day should be killed. And then he raised that quota."

    2 retweets
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  14. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    . "If the Assad regime’s central message is "Assad or burn the country" I think for the millions of Syrians who are rising up their message is ‘We will achieve freedom or the revolution continues’"

    2 retweets 4 likes
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  15. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    “Iran is in the inner circle of decision makers”

    4 retweets 2 likes
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  16. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    .: « Assad Or We Burn the Country. An accurate motto of this family, of the Assad family which has ruled Syria for 50 years, outlasting 8 US presidents, its the principle how its guided Syria. »

    8 retweets 4 likes
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  17. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    Excellent discussion on the occassion of the release of . A litany of missed opportunities, but panel agrees there are still chances to improve the dire situation in Syria.

    and
    4 retweets 3 likes
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  18. Jun 14

    This article, by , gives an extremely important insight into newly deteriorating security dynamics within 's heartlands on 's Coast. - "Coastal breakdown in creates opportunities for " Read this:

    9 retweets 16 likes
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  19. Jun 14

    In 1hr, I'll be moderating an event marking the release of 's excellent new book, , also involving & . will be live-streaming - so anyone can watch, here:

    2 replies 12 retweets 21 likes
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  20. Retweeted
    Jun 14

    Looking forward to hearing this event later today (10-11.30 EDT), marking the release of 's new book, " or We Burn the Country." Moderated by , with & the brilliant .

    3 replies 19 retweets 23 likes
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