Responsible Statecraft: Is it time to end the US presence in Syria?

The American Responsible Statecraft website reported that many US forces are still deployed in dangerous locations around the world, including Iraq and Syria, despite Vice President Kamala Harris’s statements that there are no American forces in active combat zones.

It appears that the United States and Iraq have reached an agreement to begin withdrawing 2,500 US troops from Iraq between 2025 and 2026, which could end the military presence there.

The report indicated that the Islamic State (ISIS) benefited from the chaos that arose after the two wars in Iraq and Syria, and that the United States played a supporting role during those periods.

While it strongly supported the Kurds, it opposed the Syrian government, which was also fighting ISIS at the time, while in Iraq it cooperated with Iranian-backed factions to confront the organization.

The report added that the United States says that the military bases in Syria and Iraq are aimed at preventing the resurgence of ISIS, and that there are about 900 US troops still in Syria.

With so many regional actors around these bases, the purpose of the continued military presence is increasingly questionable, especially as US forces are being repeatedly attacked without a fundamental change in the balance of power.

The report explained that the Syrian and Iraqi governments have good relations with Iran, and with tensions rising due to the Gaza war and Israeli airstrikes on Syria, the risks are increasing.

Despite the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, they haven’t succeeded in undermining the government or creating diplomatic opportunities for the United States.

There is no justification for exposing the lives of US soldiers to the risks of continued failed interventions, noting that containing Iran should be done through regional countries and not through isolated and vulnerable US bases.

Supporting US bases will require massive reinforcements, which is unlikely to gain the support of American public opinion.

With the announcement of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, land access to bases in Syria will only be possible through Jordan, making supply lines more vulnerable.

Accordingly, it’s time to end US intervention in Syria in conjunction with the withdrawal of forces from Iraq.