Stratfor: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of a U.S. Pullout From Syria
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 soon be 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, although he didn't 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 pushing the case 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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WNU Editor: The U.S. is not an empire and it cannot be everywhere at the same time. Is having a presence in Syria a manner of national security and vital for the long term interests of the U.S. .... maybe short term the answer is yes .... but in the medium-to-long term .... a definite no.
