Is Trump’s Confusing Syria Policy Setting Up a Human Rights Disaster?
Do you agree with the President’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria?
President Trump’s approach to foreign affairs has always been unorthodox, but his recent decision to withdraw troops from Syria has drawn broad criticism, even from within his own party. For many years, U.S. forces in Syria have fought alongside Syrian Kurds to fend off ISIS. Many military experts fear that the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria will strengthen ISIS’ foothold in the region, invite a military invasion by Turkey, and perhaps facilitate genocide.
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Needless to say, Kurds in Syria and Iraq are not happy with this decision, and many feel deeply betrayed. Kurds in both countries threw tomatoes and stones at the withdrawing troops, and some held signs criticizing Trump. Kurdish fighters view Trump’s decision as an implicit backing of a Turkish invasion and have called it “the greatest insult to our people so far.”
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On Monday, Trump responded to the controversy by saying: "We have a good relationship with the Kurds ...but we never agreed to protect the Kurds for the rest of their lives."
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It’s unclear whether or not Trump will stand by his decision, and it’s possible that the U.S. will retain a military presence in Syria. Still, many experts fear that the damage to U.S. relations with key allies may be irreversible. Do you think we should maintain a military presence in Syria to protect our Kurd allies from a possible genocide? Let us know in the comments below.
