Coronavirus Means America Is Really Broke. Trump Should Get the Hell Out of Syria.
The U.S. is broke. Before the coronavirus made its malign appearance, Washington was set to run trillion-dollar annual deficits this year and as far as we can see beyond. Now revenues will fall and expenses rise this year, at least, as a result of the sharply contracting economy. And Congress is preparing to pass a $1 trillion “stimulus” package on top. Why are we still in Syria?
10. “Stopping the killing in Syria is both our moral obligation and the best way to keep our own country safe.” Unless Washington is prepared to be perpetually at war, it cannot “stop the killing” elsewhere. Iraq demonstrated just how badly even a seemingly well-intentioned intervention can end. The best way to keep America safe is to stay out of conflicts that do not threaten the U.S., especially complicated civil wars waged by hostile states and movements motivated by hostile ideologies and theologies.
Syria has been a tragedy for nine years. But it was not within America’s power, at least at a reasonable cost in American lives and wealth, to fix that country. The U.S. has even less ability to do so today. President Trump should act on his instincts and bring home America’s troops. Doing so would be an important step toward halting Washington’s endless wars.
Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute. He is a former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan and the author of several books, including Foreign Follies: America’s New Global Empire.
Image: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news briefing on the administration's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts.