Without U.S. forces in Iraq, which sits between Syria and Iran, the U.S. has had few means to minimize Iran’s influence in Iraq, or to cut the transit of aid from Iran to Syria, or pressure Syria’s dictator to step down.
Okay, I think I see the problem.
Didn't Rumsfeld and many, many others warn Obama that it was unwise to withdraw all US forces from Iraq, and so quickly?
The U.S. never leaves a nation voluntarily.