Trump’s plan for our troops is opaque. He owes the country a better explanation.
By Editorial Board
January 2
WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP’S decision to slash U.S. troop levels in Syria and Afghanistan was revealed two weeks ago, it seemed, at least, clear-cut. The 2,000 U.S. personnel in eastern Syria, who with Kurdish and Arab allies have been fighting the Islamic State, would depart within 30 days; meanwhile, the Pentagon would prepare a plan to withdraw about half of the 14,000-plus U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
By this week, however, Mr. Trump’s intentions were anything but transparent. Officials were telling reporters that the Syria withdrawal would be extended over 120 days — and if Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) is to be believed, there may be no firm timetable at all. After having lunch with the president on Sunday, Mr. Graham tweeted that “the President will make sure any withdrawal from Syria will . . . ensure†that the Islamic State is “permanently destroyed,†Iran does not gain an advantage and “our Kurdish allies are protected.†That would require far longer than 120 days.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/trumps-plan-for-our-troops-are-opaque-he-owes-the-country-a-better-explanation/2019/01/02/df6c5f5e-0eb1-11e9-84fc-d58c33d6c8c7_story.html?utm_term=.106c3a32e8c0