Thomas Joscelyn, Long War Journal: Analysis: A premature declaration of victory in Syria?
The White House declared on Apr. 4 that the “military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed.” While the United States is “committed to eliminating the small ISIS presence in Syria that our forces have not already eradicated,” the Trump administration already has an eye on “future plans,” which will rely heavily on other countries “to work toward peace and ensure that ISIS never reemerges.” Indeed, President Trump has vowed to withdraw the 2,000 or so American troops in Syria “very soon.”
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WNU Editor: The U.S. has been down this road before .... declaring victory over radical Islamists, but then finding them coming back a few years later. The sad fact is that a good part of the Sunni population supports ISIS, and see them as the only real alternative to defend them from Iranian supported supported militias and the Syrian Army. Throughout its history the Middle East has always been deeply divided along sectarian/tribal/and religious lines, and Syria is not an exception to the rule.