Trump’s Syria Rhetoric Will ‘Haunt’ Future U.S. Foreign Policy, Retired Admiral Says

President Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions regarding Syria have come under intense scrutiny and criticism from the international community, including from a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis. In a recent tweet, Stavridis suggested that Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from northeastern Syria would have long-term consequences and would “haunt U.S. foreign policy as others around the globe doubt our reliability under stress.”

Here are some key takeaways:

Trump’s announcement of lifting sanctions imposed on Turkey following its invasion of the Kurdish-held part of Syria has only benefitted America’s rivals, and it will leave a stain on the U.S.’ global reputation, according to Stavridis. The operation was launched just after Trump abruptly withdrew U.S. forces from the area, which had been deployed to support the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the campaign against ISIS.

Winners and losers of the Syrian ceasefire

The aftermath of Trump’s decision has seen a ceasefire brokered between Turkey and the Kurds, with Russian and Turkish patrols monitoring the area. Meanwhile, the Syrian regime has extended control over much of the east of the country, and dozens of Islamic State militants have escaped from SDF custody.

Stavridis argues that the winners of the ceasefire are Assad, Putin, Erdogan, and ISIS, while the Kurds, U.S. credibility as an ally, Israel, and Arab allies have all been weakened. Abandoned by the U.S., the SDF were forced to turn to the Syrian regime for help and submit to President Bashar al-Assad.

Concerns about the long-term consequences for U.S. foreign policy

Trump’s comments claiming responsibility for the ceasefire and casting doubt on the meaning of “permanent” in “that part of the world” have only added to the concerns about the future of U.S. foreign policy. Stavridis suggests that the comments will “doubt our reliability under stress” and continue to haunt the U.S. on the global stage.

In conclusion, Trump’s foreign policy decision regarding Syria has been widely criticized by the international community, with concerns about the long-term consequences for U.S. foreign policy. Retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis has added his voice to this chorus of criticism, arguing that Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from northeastern Syria will “haunt” the U.S. and its allies for years to come. The winners of the ceasefire are Assad, Putin, Erdogan, and ISIS, while the Kurds, U.S. credibility as an ally, Israel, and Arab allies have all been weakened.