"But the common argument that U.S. troops could have produced different Iraqi political outcomes is hogwash.The Iraqi sectarian divides, which ISIS exploited, run deep and were not susceptible to permanent remedy by our troops at their height, let alone by 5,000 trainers under Iraqi restraints.”
Mr. Trump may now be left to make the same argument about Syria: That nothing could have stopped Mr. Erdogan, that the Russians would benefit in any case, that there are other ways to push back at Iran. Perhaps history will side with him.
"Trump's decision to leave just 100+ advisors in the field vulnerable to an overrun by the encroaching superior but fecklessTurkish forces weakens our national security and sends mixed signals to the Kurds."
Trump adds a regiment and cohorts:
"Trump's decision to commit 5,000 troops to Syria's border with Turkey is a raw reaction to Erdogan's simple bluff against the Kurds and scrambles the Middle East picture for all time."
Trump bombs Damascus:
"Trump's decision to take finally out Assad was met with derision in the intelligence community as Assad's replacement has deep Russian ties and is friendly with Iran."