ASSESSMENTS

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of a U.S. Pullout From Syria

Apr 4, 2018 | 21:37 GMT

A convoy of U.S. armored vehicles passes through a village near Manbij, Syria, during March 2017.

A convoy of U.S. armored vehicles passes through the village of Yalanli, on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Manbij, during March 2017. U.S. forces in that city have kept Turkey from attacking the Kurdish militia there.

(DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • President Donald Trump is pushing for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, citing the considerable resources the United States has expended in the Middle East.
  • A U.S. pullout from Syria could pave the way for an improvement in relations with Turkey and Russia.
  • A withdrawal could also damage U.S. credibility, hamper the fight against the Islamic State and weaken Washington's ability to pressure Iran.

If President Donald Trump gets his way, the United States will be soon heading for the door in Syria. At a March 29 rally, the president said that troops will be leaving "very soon." And about a week later, The Washington Post reported that Trump had instructed the Department of Defense to draw up exit plans, but he did not set a deadline. The likelihood of a pullout is uncertain because the Pentagon, the State Department and other parts of the U.S. government are strongly arguing that the United States needs to remain in Syria. Furthermore, a withdrawal will create power vacuums, affect relations with enemies and allies, and weaken U.S. influence in the region....

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