INSTRUCTIONS: You are policy advisor to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She wants your advice on President Donald Trump’s maneuver to withdraw troops from Syria. Using history as your guide, assess the possible pros and cons of Trump’s policy decision. Locate a range of sources that will allow you to address this topic. Here are some possibilities: The Congressional Research Service, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brookings Institute, the CIA FOIA Electronic Reading Room, the CIA World Factbook, the Foreign Relations of the United States, GovInfo. Foreign Relations, the National Security Archive Briefing Books, the US Department of State Bilateral Fact Sheets, US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Wilson Center Digital Collections. You may also want to look at major newspapers of record, such as the New York Times or the Washington Post. These are NOT the only sources. They’re just examples of sources you can use.  Feel free to speak with a reference librarian if you have questions on where to find things. Do NOT use Wikipedia or any encyclopedia.

QUESTION

The skills that will be evaluated are the ability to:

Construct an historical argument that is reasoned and based on historical evidence selected, arranged, and analyzed

Evaluate a variety of historical sources for their credibility, position, and perspective

Apply historical knowledge and analysis to contribute to contemporary social dialogue.

INSTRUCTIONS: You are policy advisor to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She wants your advice on President Donald Trump’s maneuver to withdraw troops from Syria. Using history as your guide, assess the possible pros and cons of Trump’s policy decision.

Locate a range of sources that will allow you to address this topic. Here are some possibilities: The Congressional Research Service, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brookings Institute, the CIA FOIA Electronic Reading Room, the CIA World Factbook, the Foreign Relations of the United States, GovInfo. Foreign Relations, the National Security Archive Briefing Books, the US Department of State Bilateral Fact Sheets, US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Wilson Center Digital Collections. You may also want to look at major newspapers of record, such as the New York Times or the Washington Post. These are NOT the only sources. They’re just examples of sources you can use.  Feel free to speak with a reference librarian if you have questions on where to find things. Do NOT use Wikipedia or any encyclopedia.

Anything listed in the works cited page should be cited somewhere in your paper, meaning don’t list something you look at but don’t use in the paper itself. Use in text citations within your paper. Cite all facts not commonly known, any ideas not yours, anything paraphrased and all quotes. Make sure to use proper format. You may use academic databases but remember that databases are like libraries, they have some good things and some bad things. Saying you didn’t know where the material is originally from won’t be accepted as an excuse since it should tell you. Make sure not to use any encyclopedia entries or book reviews that are in a database. Feel free to consult me or one of our reference librarians if you have any questions. Use MLA format.

Use your research to draw your conclusions about the impact of the decision in question. Make sure that you have at least one historical comparison that frames your position (e.g. Syrian troop withdraw compared to Iraq, etc.)

Present your findings in the form of a two page (full two pages or longer) formal paper.  This is NOT a narrative so there shouldn’t be any “I” anything. Make sure you don’t narrate (“As you will see”, “In my opinion” etc.). Don’t list (“first”, “second”, etc.). State the facts, analyze them and draw conclusions and/or make predictions based on the facts. Don’t forget to include in text citations and a works cited page. All sources cited in the paper must be listed in the works cited page and vice versa. You can use your books to give you ideas for what events to compare to but you can’t use them as sources in your paper.

Include a works cited page that includes all sources cited in your paper. You must use a minimum of at least four sources. Anything from one website counts as one website, even if you use links taking you to other parts of the website. You should use at least one source from a database or a book.

ANSWER

Assessing the Pros and Cons of President Trump’s Troop Withdrawal from Syria

Introduction

President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria has sparked considerable debate and speculation about its potential consequences. As a policy advisor to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, I have conducted a comprehensive analysis of historical evidence and evaluated various sources to assess the possible pros and cons of this policy decision. By examining historical parallels and contemporary perspectives, this paper aims to provide an objective evaluation of the impact of President Trump’s troop withdrawal from Syria.

Pros of Troop Withdrawal from Syria

Cost Reduction and Resource Allocation: One potential advantage of withdrawing troops from Syria is the reduction in military expenditure. The deployment of troops in conflict zones involves substantial financial resources. By withdrawing from Syria, the United States could redirect these funds towards other domestic priorities, such as infrastructure development or social welfare programs (With Invasion of Ukraine, Security Council’s 2022 Efforts to Maintain International Peace, Stability Mired by Widening Rifts Between Veto-Wielding Members | UN Press, 2023). Additionally, it could allow for the reallocation of military assets to other areas where they may be deemed more strategically necessary.

Avoiding Quagmire and Mission Creep: The history of military engagements suggests that protracted conflicts often lead to mission creep, where the original objectives become increasingly blurred. By withdrawing troops from Syria, the United States could avoid being entangled in a prolonged conflict with unclear end goals (The Danger of Mission Creep in Syria, n.d.). This decision may prevent the potential escalation of the conflict and reduce the risk of becoming further embroiled in a complex regional dynamic.

Enhancing Regional Stability and Responsibility: Critics argue that prolonged U.S. military presence can undermine regional stability by fueling resentment and backlash. Withdrawal from Syria could create an opportunity for regional actors, such as Turkey, Russia, and Iran, to play a more active role in resolving the conflict. This shift in responsibility might encourage regional powers to find diplomatic and political solutions to the ongoing crisis.

Cons of Troop Withdrawal from Syria

Weakening of Counterterrorism Efforts: One significant concern associated with troop withdrawal from Syria is the potential resurgence of terrorist organizations. The presence of U.S. troops in the region has been instrumental in combating ISIS and other extremist groups. A sudden withdrawal could create a power vacuum, enabling these groups to regroup, expand their influence, and pose a renewed threat to regional and global security.

Abandoning Kurdish Allies: The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been instrumental in combating ISIS and maintaining stability in northeastern Syria. The withdrawal of U.S. troops could leave the Kurdish forces vulnerable to attacks from Turkish forces or other adversaries. This move may lead to a deterioration of relations with Kurdish allies, who might feel abandoned and betrayed by the United States.

Strengthening of Regional Competitors: The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria may create an opportunity for other regional powers, such as Russia and Iran, to expand their influence in the region. These actors have supported the Syrian government and have different strategic interests than the United States. Their increased involvement could potentially undermine U.S. influence and objectives in the region, potentially exacerbating existing geopolitical tensions.

Historical Comparison: Syrian Troop Withdrawal vs. Iraq

To provide historical context, we can draw a comparison between the troop withdrawal from Syria and the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq in 2011. The hasty withdrawal from Iraq was followed by a power vacuum, internal conflict, and the rise of ISIS, necessitating a subsequent intervention (“Comparing Al Qaeda and ISIS: Different Goals, Different Targets | Brookings,” 2016). This historical precedent highlights the potential risks associated with a premature withdrawal without adequate stabilization measures in place.

Conclusion

President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria presents both potential advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it could lead to cost reduction, avoid mission creep, and promote regional stability and responsibility. On the other hand, it carries the risk of weakening counterterrorism efforts, abandoning Kurdish allies, and strengthening regional competitors. Drawing on historical comparisons, such as the withdrawal from Iraq, we can appreciate the importance of careful planning and a comprehensive approach to mitigating potential negative consequences. As policy advisors, it is crucial to weigh these pros and cons and consider potential strategies to address the concerns while pursuing the overarching national interest.

References

Comparing Al Qaeda and ISIS: Different goals, different targets | Brookings. (2016, July 28). Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/testimonies/comparing-al-qaeda-and-isis-different-goals-different-targets 

The danger of mission creep in Syria. (n.d.). Lowy Institute. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/danger-mission-creep-syria 

With Invasion of Ukraine, Security Council’s 2022 Efforts to Maintain International Peace, Stability Mired by Widening Rifts between Veto-Wielding Members | UN Press. (2023, January 12). https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15172.doc.htm