In push to reclaim raqqa trumps choices range from bad to worse

A critical commentary on the Trump administration's decisions regarding the fight against ISIS in Raqqa, Syria. Here's a breakdown of the article:

Bad choices:

  1. Withdrawal of US troops from Syria: Trump's surprise decision to withdraw US troops from Syria in October 2019 was seen as a betrayal by many, including Kurdish allies who had fought alongside the US against ISIS. This move allowed Turkey to launch a military operation against the Kurds, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
  2. Lack of coordination with allies: The Trump administration's decision-making process was criticized for being secretive and lacking coordination with allies, such as the UK and France, who had been involved in the fight against ISIS in Raqqa.
  3. Inadequate planning for the aftermath: The US withdrawal from Syria was criticized for not having a clear plan for the aftermath, leaving a power vacuum that allowed ISIS to regroup and potentially re-emerge.

Worse choices:

  1. Abandoning the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): The SDF, which had been instrumental in the fight against ISIS, was left to fend for themselves after the US withdrawal. This led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of civilians displaced and many more at risk of being killed or kidnapped by Turkish-backed forces.
  2. Enabling ISIS's resurgence: By withdrawing US troops and abandoning the SDF, the Trump administration inadvertently enabled ISIS's resurgence. The group has since regrouped and launched attacks in Syria and Iraq.
  3. Undermining regional stability: The US withdrawal from Syria and the subsequent Turkish military operation have undermined regional stability, creating a power vacuum that could be exploited by other actors, such as Iran and Russia.

Overall, the Trump administration's decisions regarding the fight against ISIS in Raqqa have been widely criticized for being short-sighted, poorly planned, and damaging to regional stability.