Trump Decided To Leave Syria After Call With Turkey’s President, Did Not Consult Pentagon Or Any US Allies

The Associated Press reports:

President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria was made hastily, without consulting his national security team or allies, and over strong objections from virtually everyone involved in the fight against the Islamic State, according to U.S. and Turkish officials.

Trump stunned his Cabinet, lawmakers and much of the world with the move by rejecting the advice of his top aides and agreeing to a withdrawal in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week, two officials briefed on the matter said.

NPR reports:

Trump declared victory over ISIS, saying in a video Wednesday night, “We’ve beaten them and we’ve beaten them badly. We’ve taken back the land and now it’s time for our troops to come back home.”

But that idea is at odds with the president’s top military advisers, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis who has resigned, effective in February, noting his disagreements with the president on Syria and other issues.

Trump is also at odds with Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Early this month, Dunford refused to give a possible date for withdrawal from Syria, saying the job isn’t over until areas are stabilized and local forces are trained and equipped to ensure security.

The Washington Examiner reports:

In the fight against the Islamic State, the Kurds have been our best and most reliable ally. In Syria, in partnership with U.S. Special Operations, the Kurdish-led militia, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, have largely been responsible for the success in taking back territory, handling captured fighters, and liberating communities. In fact, they are still leading the fight against ISIS in eastern Syria.

So naturally, to thank them for shedding blood alongside U.S. personal, Trump has decided to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. This comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told him in a phone call to “get out of the way” because Turkish forces were preparing to attack the Kurds. Or so reports Jennifer Griffin of Fox News.