Disentangling From Syria’s Civil War: The Case for U.S. Military Withdrawal

Bottom Line: The United States has accomplished everything it can hope to do in Syria and should begin withdrawing troops.

Thus far, U.S. intervention in Syria has been only partially successful.

The United States tried -- and largely failed -- to foster regime change by giving aid to rebel forces. Despite their efforts, the Assad regime, backed by Iran and Russia, have won the civil war. Efforts to fight ISIS have been more successful, and the caliphate is essentially destroyed.

The best way to finish the job is to empower local actors and withdraw U.S. forces.

Continued presence of U.S. forces in Syria risks unnecessarily provoking Syria, Russia, Iran and Turkey. The U.S. should “retain the ability to monitor and strike terrorists,” in the region, but otherwise empower local authorities to take up coutner terrorism efforts, and accept defeat in the civil war.

Remaining in Syria would not benefit the United States in any way.

In addition to provoking conflict, remaining in Syria would likely commit the United States to another costly, undermanned long-term conflict in the Middle East. The territory currently occupied by the United States “is not a prize that will benefit outside power,” and a U.S. presence is not necessary to protect Syria’s Kurds. The benefits of withdrawal far outnumber and outweigh the risks.

Read the full report here.