And so, we have withdrawn from Syria in the most sudden and chaotic way imaginable, thereby leaving our former allies in the lurch. Trump is now threatening to impose sanctions on the Turks, which would anger them without actually accomplishing anything. What has the Great Negotiator won for us in return? As far as we know, the answer is nothing—not even the usual promise to buy more weapons. The whole episode is such a disgrace that even the right is appalled.
Many pundits are predictably arguing that we are destroying our credibility with present and future allies by selling out our friends. To me, the question is a bit different—why would any sane person put any faith in America’s commitments as long as it is run by a man who lies as easily as he breathes? This is just a case of the chickens coming home to roost, and it won’t be the last such episode.