January 29, 2018

Obama’s ISIS policy is working for Trump

Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson delivered a speech that after a year in office finally laid out a new strategy for Syria. The part that’s getting the most attention is his unequivocal declaration that the United States would maintain an indefinite military presence in Syria, stating, “The United States will maintain a military presence in Syria focused on ensuring ISIS cannot reemerge.”

It doesn’t square with President Trump’s “America first” posture, but it’s the right call.

It also represents an acknowledgment that in Syria, Trump is using President Barack Obama’s playbook. So far, it’s working out pretty well for him.

President George W. Bush deployed hundreds of thousands of troops during the Iraq War. It was costly, took years to bear fruit and was politically unsustainable. Early in his presidency, Obama sought to disengage militarily from Iraq altogether, which backfired by contributing to the governance vacuum that facilitated the rise of the Islamic State.

Trump campaigned against both in 2016, deriding Bush as too eager for war — “Iraq was a big, fat mistake” — and casting Obama as weak, and the “founder of ISIS.”

Read the full article in The Washington Post.

  • Commentary
    • The National Interest
    • May 29, 2025
    How to Kick-start Syria’s Reconstruction

    Given that there are so many stakeholders interested in Syria’s future, it’s unlikely that all countries will agree on the best way to support its transition, but they don’t n...

    By Delaney Soliday & Kate Johnston

  • Commentary
    • 1001 Iraqi Thoughts
    • May 27, 2025
    Arab League Summit in Iraq Falls Short

    There are many who have argued about the insignificance of the Arab League altogether, but from an Iraqi perspective, taking on the responsibility to host it also involves tak...

    By Hamzeh Hadad

  • Video
    • May 16, 2025
    Ziemba: U.S. Has To Be Ready To Accept Mideast Investments

    US President Donald Trump has secured $200 billion in deals during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, according to the White House, as he wraps up his visit to the Middle Ea...

    By Rachel Ziemba

  • Video
    • May 15, 2025
    Trump Inks $600 Bn Deal In Saudi Arabia | Musk, Blackrock CEO Flank Trump In Gulf Visit

    In today's episode of India Global, U.S. President Donald Trump secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to invest in the United States. NDTV's Gaurie Dw...

    By Daniel Silverberg

View All Reports View All Articles & Multimedia