美国改变叙利亚叛军的训练方式

AS IT IS 2015-09-10 US to Change Syrian Rebels Training 美国改变叙利亚叛军的训练方式

The New York Times says United States defense¹ officials are making plans to change the training of moderate Syrian rebels for fighting the Islamic State in Syria.

The newspaper says the officials acted after they discovered "significant shortcomings" in training and tactics. 

At the same time, the United States has asked Greece to close its airspace to Russian supply flights to Syria. U.S. officials are concerned about an increased Russian military presence in Syria.

The New York Times says its report is based on information from four top U.S. Defense Department and Obama administration officials. The newspaper said the proposed changes followed an attack on 54 moderate Syrian rebels. All of them had completed the training program. The attackers reportedly belonged to the al-Nusra Front, the Syrian group allied² with al-Qaida. 

U.S. government documents said the rebels were not fully³ prepared for the raid. They also said the rebel force was too small in size, and lacked local support. They added that the attack took place on July 31, when many fighters were visiting relatives for the Muslim holiday of Eid.

U.S. officials are considering ways to get better results from the $500 million training program. One possibility is to increase the size of the rebel force. Another is to amend⁴ their deployments as a way to improve local support and intelligence. The training program is a project of U.S. Special Forces and trainers in Turkey and Jordan. 

Thousands of Syrians requested the training. But only a percentage has been approved. The program has been in operation for a year.

Supporters say the program is falling short of the 5,000 trained fighters once predicted. 

There is also growing U.S. concern about Russia's involvement in Syria. The United States has asked Greece to ban Russian supply flights in Greek airspace. The Greek foreign ministry⁵ says the request is being considered. 

Media reports show the Russian activity may be part of a plan to increase the country’s support of the Syrian government, or as a part of a plan to fight the Islamic State. The New York Times reported that Russia has sent a military advance team to Syria. It said the Russian moves include the recent movement of portable housing for hundreds of people to a Syrian airfield⁶. The newspaper said Russia also sent an air traffic control station there.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is providing "serious" training and logistical support to the Syrian army.  But, he added that it was "premature⁷" to discuss possible direct Russian involvement in military operations against the Islamic State in Syria. 

Words in this Story

shortcomings – n. failures or weaknesses

tactics – n. the activity or skill of organizing and moving soldiers and equipment in a military battle

portable – adj. easy to move around or transport

logistical – adj. related to things that must be done to plan and organize a complicated activity or event that involves many people

premature – adj. happening too soon or earlier than expected

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 allied   

adj.协约国的；同盟国的

参考例句：

• Britain was allied with the United States many times in history.历史上英国曾多次与美国结盟。
• Allied forces sustained heavy losses in the first few weeks of the campaign.同盟国在最初几周内遭受了巨大的损失。

3 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

4 amend   

vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿

参考例句：

• The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
• You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 airfield   

n.飞机场

参考例句：

• The foreign guests were motored from the airfield to the hotel.用车把外宾从机场送到旅馆。
• The airfield was seized by enemy troops.机场被敌军占领。

7 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。