He suggested that this offensive would not involve a major US troop increase; Washington must therefore decide whether to cooperate with Turkey or Turkey's enemies, the Syrian Kurds -- who were yesterday mistakenly bombed by Russian planes. Donald Trump’s presidency has coincided with pivotal developments in Syria, including the insurgency’s strategic defeat, the consolidation of Turkish and Russian positions, and the ongoing routing of IS in the north.
Unless they are needed to police safe zones, Washington’s provision of arms to Syrian rebels is likely to decline, especially as IS weakens.
Washington will not prioritise a ‘political transition’ in Syria: the civil war will go on, with the regime in a dominant military position.
Trump’s anti-Obama campaign rhetoric on Syria may force him to dress up old policies in new colours.
