How much notice did the military give to the US?
Numerous reports suggest that his most senior officials were taken by surprise, and the U.S. military had less than 24 hours’ notice. Secretary Mattis refused to answer questions about the U.S. withdrawal to the media, and the Pentagon released a statement refuting the president’s claim that the ISG had been defeated.
Is Turkey a NATO ally?
troops at risk. Turkey, a NATO ally, also had been flirting with the idea of buying an S-400 Russian missile defense system rather than the U.S.-built Patriot system.
Will the Assad government expand its control over the entire country?
Of course, the Assad government will be able to expand its control over the entire country, including the oil-rich areas that had been hosting U.S. troops, and have an unconstrained hand re-imposing its jurisdiction.
Does CSIS take policy positions?
CSIS does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author (s). © 2018 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved.
Who is the President of Syria?
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, along with Russia and Iran. President Bashar al-Assad and his chief international backers, Russia and Iran, all stand to benefit from the troop withdrawal, which clears the way for Mr. Assad to tighten his once-tenuous grip on his battered country. Mr. al-Assad has long vowed to retake large stretches ...
Who was the former special envoy for the Kurdish militia?
Many Americans who fought alongside or supported the Kurdish-led forces have expressed shame over Mr. Trump’s decision. Among them was Mr. McGurk, the former Trump special envoy. In a series of Twitter posts, he excoriated the president for the withdrawal and noted that the Kurdish-led militia were fighting, and dying.
Does Iran have an ally in Syria?
Iran likewise plays an outsize role in Syria as the international ally with the most invested in the country and the most at stake. During the war, Iran embedded itself in Syria through its fighters and proxies, redrawing the strategic map of the Middle East.
Has Russia expanded its military footprint in Syria?
Russia has also expanded its military footprint in Syria during the war. “It certainly helps the Russians, who have benefited tremendously from a quite limited investment in Syria,” Jon B. Alterman, director and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, warned in December. Image.
Does Russia have an alliance with Syria?
Russia’s alliance with Syria has also bolstered Moscow’s broader influence in the Middle East. “They re-established themselves as a global player when the conclusion had been that the glory days of the Soviet Union were dead and gone,” Mr. Alterman said.
When will Bashar al-Assad be in power?
As the White House tacitly approved President Bashar al-Assad staying in power until the next Syrian presidential election in 2021, the US plan in Syria shifted to trying to hunker down and disrupt the Russian plan.
Who announces the war and peace decision?
The war and peace decisions are typically announced by the White House in consultations with key agencies and the Congress, but the way this decision was orchestrated reflects a deep division in Washington on this issue.
Is ISIL a threat to Trump?
While ISIL remains a threat, Trump believes the necessary time given to the military was enough and US troops should come home. His decision is very much an indication of how detached Trump has become from his national security team. In the past few months, the conservative wing of his administration led by National Security Adviser John Bolton ...
Is there a grand deal in Syria?
Others assert that a grand deal in Syria is in the making and the US sold out its Kurdish partners. Speculations aside, Trump has been talking about withdrawal for a while now as he does not see any financial or strategic value in keeping US forces in Syria. Last March, the president casually announced during a rally that US forces will “be coming ...
Can Washington confront Moscow?
Washington can neither make a deal nor confront Moscow in Syria nor does it seem invested in advancing a UN-led political process. The new US envoy to Syria James Jeffrey recently added confusion to US policy by stating that the Trump administration wants change in the Syrian regime not regime change. As the White House tacitly approved President ...
Did Bolton convince Trump to expand the US mission in Syria?
Bolton, who has been advocating for months the idea of expanding the US mission in Syria to deter Iran, now has absolutely nothing to show for it. He managed to convince Trump in September to agree on an indefinite US role in Syria.
