Syria pullout not a compulsive decision.

SYRIA PEACE PLAN HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED FOR MONTHS

DETAILS TO REMAIN UNDISCLOSED UNTIL ACCOMPLISHED

Much is being speculated that the Trump administration has decided to pull out of Syria without any thought of the consequences. This is not true, in fact this process has been going on since the Trump/Putin meeting earlier in 2018. The number one object of discussion was a resolution of the Syrian civil war.

Many in the U.S. government, particularly those who aided in the attempted overthrow of the Syrian government, do not want any change of direction in Syria. They would like to accomplish a removal of Assad from power. This same policy has been a failure in Egypt and Libya and has contributed to the destabilization of not only the middle east but also Europe. There is a plan being worked out, but many of the leaking bureaucrats in the U.S. government have been cut out of the process.

Most of this plan is being orchestrated by Russia and Turkey, with discussions with the U.S., Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. It seems those counties have less leakers than the U.S.

In the last few days,Turkey and Russia have released a press statement that they have agreed to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria. That they are going to cooperate in the elimination of ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria. They have not as yet agreed on a plan to protect the Kurds. They have not as yet determined what kind of government is the long term objective for Syria. 

The Trump administration has chosen to let Putin and Erdogan take the lead in this matter, at least for now. It is a change of direction for U.S. policy for Syria. The possibility of a peaceful and stable Syria may be worth the risk of it not working out. 

Much is made of the fear of Russia gaining influence in the Middle East. The U.S. with many times the power and wealth of Russia has been struggling with this problem for years with only negligible results. Who really believes that Russia can now become the dominate player by playing a role in ending the Syrian civil war. There now is much more at stake for both Russia and Turkey to be successful while all the world is watching.

The goal is a safe Syria, where refugees can be returned home from Turkey, Jordan and possibly Europe. The elimination of all foreign troops from the country, including Iran. Hopefully there can be a long range plan for a more democratic Syria, but this has to be a one step at a time process. 

It is assumed that Putin has considerable power and leverage over Assad and Iran. The U.S. does have considerable leverage with NATO member Turkey. 

Trump has given them the chance to prove they have honorable intentions, we will have to wait and see. While many are opposed to this plan, no one has been able to come up with a plan that does not keep U.S. troops stationed in Syria for the next 30 or 40 years.