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Trump's Victory Raises Questions About Fate of U.S. Forces in Syria
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Analysis of Trump's previous Syria policies reveals a volatile pattern in decisions, oscillating between military withdrawal and maintaining strategic interests
Spotlight turns to Syria's future after Republican candidate Donald Trump's defeat of Democratic rival Kamala Harris in U.S. presidential elections, especially given the ambiguity of his policies toward the war-torn country.
Syrian-American researcher Wael Al-Sawah, member of the Advisory Council for the Syria Program at the American "Middle East Institute" for Near East Studies, stated that "Trump's positions on any issue are subject to two factors: his personal mood and pursuit of self-interest. Therefore, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s statements regarding Trump's concern about American soldiers becoming 'cannon fodder' in conflicts between Turkish forces and Kurdish fighters reflect his intention to withdraw forces and reduce military engagement."
Al-Sawah explained that the president-elect's vision centers on reducing U.S. military presence, ignoring those forces' strategic importance in combating ISIS, warning of potential implications for regional stability.
The Syrian affairs expert indicated that Trump hadn't taken a decisive stance against the Syrian regime's president in the past, likely continuing this approach in the future, but expected his support for Israel in its efforts to reduce Iranian influence in the region.
Nawaf Khalil, director of the Kurdish Center for Studies, reported that "the United States realizes more than anyone the danger of ISIS, whether regarding its approximately 12,000 members detained by SDF or their families' presence in Al-Hol and Roj camps, where their children threaten journalists with slaughter, for example, under the pretext that they're not wearing hijab."
Khalil ruled out U.S. withdrawal from Syria, recalling Trump's previous experience in 2019 when he felt deceived by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prompting him to reverse the force withdrawal decision.
The Kurdish Center director addressed the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria's strategy in maintaining balanced relations, noting SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi's congratulations to Trump and emphasis on continuing cooperation to fight ISIS.
Notably, about 900 U.S. soldiers are present in Syria within the international coalition fighting ISIS, where Trump tried to withdraw them in 2019, before retreating under advisers' pressure and redeploying them.
Levant-Al Arabiya
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