“We Won”
a We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.a
With one tweet, the President ignites a firestorm about whether the U.S. will completely withdraw from Syria.
As of today, we don’t know when…or how…but here’s why it matters.
HOW MANY TROOPS?
- Est. 2,000 U.S. troopsA serve mainly as “advisers” to different groups fighting ISIS. For context: est. 5,000 U.S. troops remain “next door” in Iraq; est. 15,000 serve in Afghanistan.
- The White House says troops will begin to return home, but the U.S. remains committed to the mission against ISIS and will “transition to the next phase of the campaign.”
WHY LEAVE?
ISIS lost territory:A Dept. of Defense estimates 90% of ISIS captured territory is now reclaimed.
ISIS lost leverage: Areas once held by ISIS, like strategic cities like Raqqa, are now free from ISIS control.
Money: Pres. Trump has repeatedly said America has wasted money in the Middle East and he wants to reinvest elsewhere.
WHY STAY?
- Defense Dept reportsA 14,000+ ISIS fighters remain in Syria, but also says number is in flux.
- In April, the Special Ops Gen. called Syria a the most aggressive electronic warfare environment on the planet” (Syria/Russia jam American aircraft).
- Withdrawing U.S. troops may embolden anti-American actors: Russia & Iran.
BIG PICTURE
a The biggest winners in this are ISIS and Iran.a
The last American soldier killed in Syria died in a roadside bomb attack back in March - the same month the President said the U.S. would leave Syria "very soon." A total of 4 American soldiers have reportedly died in Syria since 2014.
Sources
- White House says U.S. will stay in Syria until Islamic State is defeated:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/04/white-house-says-u-s-stay-syria-until-islamic-state-defeated/485304002/ - Trump orders rapid withdrawal from Syria in apparent reversal:
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/19/politics/us-syria-withdrawal/index.html - Trump pulling all US troops from Syria, declaring IS defeat:
https://www.apnews.com/583a18db0cd340a1a553c64ff9a47ef9 - Special Inspector General Report to Congress on U.S. OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS:
https://media.defense.gov/2018/Aug/06/2001950941/-1/-1/1/FY2018_LIG_OCO_OIR3_JUN2018_508.PDF