the state department and intelligence services in general aren’t always the smartest at determining their best interests. don’t assume that because they do something or allow it that it’s actually of benefit to them. they’re extremely human and make mistakes. in this case, he’s almost certainly not an OP - it’s just as you said, the state department thought it was good for people to go fight Assad regardless of which side they picked. then they reversed on the policy after it backfired on them, most notably with ISIS.
The CIA has funded just about every movement out there. Hell they backed communists on quite a few occasions. Or how about Saddam's whole history with the US and Iraqi Kurds?
the state department and intelligence services in general aren’t always the smartest at determining their best interests. don’t assume that because they do something or allow it that it’s actually of benefit to them. they’re extremely human and make mistakes. in this case, he’s almost certainly not an OP - it’s just as you said, the state department thought it was good for people to go fight Assad regardless of which side they picked. then they reversed on the policy after it backfired on them, most notably with ISIS.
The CIA has funded just about every movement out there. Hell they backed communists on quite a few occasions. Or how about Saddam's whole history with the US and Iraqi Kurds?