Two and a half weeks ago, President Trump stunned the international community and prompted his secretary of Defense to resign in protest by announcing a pullout of American forces from Syria “now,” claiming they had defeated Islamic State terrorists there. Last week, Trump said Iran “can do what they want” in Syria. But on a Sunday visit to Jerusalem, national security advisor John Bolton seemingly walked the president’s urgent vow back, saying U.S. forces would not leave Syria unless the defeat of Islamic State and the protection of allied Kurdish forces were ensured — conditions that could take a long time to achieve. Just this weekend, a U.S.-backed militia captured two American militants in a battle with Islamic State in Syria. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will be barnstorming the Middle East this week, swinging through at least eight countries in eight days, in an effort to portray “America as a force for good in the region.”

Source: Los Angeles Times January 07, 2019 12:56 UTC