Trump’s upending of Syria policy spurs congressional howls and Kremlin kudos

Published December 20, 2018 11:56am ET



TRUMP’S GUT STRIKES AGAIN: To describe Donald Trump as an unconventional president runs risking serious understatement. Yesterday, with his decision to declare premature victory in Syria and to order all the U.S. troops home posthaste, Trump overruled all of his advisers, blindsided Congress, shocked U.S. allies, and brought joy to our adversaries. The stunning development happened with no formal announcement, no meeting of the National Security Council, and no plan for how to transition to the sustainment mission the Pentagon says it vital to prevent the resurgence of ISIS.

Normally, a president making this kind of momentous decision — one that involves the security not just of the U.S. but the world — would address the nation, laying out his rationale, and explaining the way forward. It would come after consultations and debate with lawmakers and other members of the 70-nation coalition who have joined the U.S. in fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

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