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The betrayal of the Syrian Kurds has sent a clear message to America’s allies in the region and beyond that they can no longer depend on Washington’s assurances regarding their security.
It appears that Trump’s attempt to influence Ukraine was not a personal initiative but a controversial and widely known plan among his confidants.
Washington should choose its fights more carefully. Not every problem is America’s to solve, and not every problem can be solved by U.S. military power. Policymakers should commit U.S. forces to wage war only when vital interests are stake, the mission is clear, and the objectives are attainable. The Syrian escapade never met any of these criteria.
It is time for Washington to re-evaluate the number of proxies and allies it is willing to protect.
As Islamic State prisoners go free and hundreds of thousands of Kurds, Christians and Yazidis flee Turkey’s bombardment, how true are the assumptions driving Trump’s turn toward Turkey?
In-depth analysis from Michael Lind, Milton Ezrati, and Andrew Skitt Gilmour.
