[guest post by Dana]

The U.S. State Dept. issued its Year-in-Review Pivotal Foreign Policy Moments of 2015, which is essentially their brag page listing State Dept. “successes” on any number of issues.

In what can only be described as reporting straight from The Onion, included in the State Department’s list of accomplishments is the claim of “Bringing Peace, Security to Syria.” Seriously.

John Kirby, spokesman for the State Department and the post’s author, touts the United States’ “humanitarian aid contributions” to the war-torn country and praises Secretary of State John Kerry for his role in the UN Security Council resolution that laid plans for upcoming peace talks. “From the humanitarian crisis endured by refugees fleeing violence, to the reprehensible human-rights violations and violence carried out by the Asad [sic] regime, the Syrian people have borne a heavy load,” Kirby writes.

Interesting, especially in light of the ongoing raging civil war in Syria, the travel warning issued by the State Dept. for anyone thinking of vacationing in Syria, the strong presence of ISIS in Syria, and the more than 4 million Syrian refugees who have fled the country, with the greatest number of refugees seeking asylum having occurred this year.

Anyway, along with peace and security in Syria, you can also read about how the same State Dept. ensured the world a peaceful Iranian nuclear program.

What a fabulous year it’s been, John Kerry. Kudos.

–Dana

UPDATE BY PATTERICO: From the travel warning:

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated March 3, 2015, to remind U.S. citizens that the security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable as a violent conflict between government and armed anti-government groups continues throughout the country, along with an increased risk of kidnappings, bombings, murder, and terrorism.

No part of Syria should be considered safe from violence.

Mmmm, just soak in that “peace” and “security”!