The White House says ISIS is defeated. Veterans, humanitarians, and even Fox News hosts disagree.
Pretty much everyone disagrees with the White House's assessment that ISIS is "defeated."
On Wednesday, reports surfaced that President Trump would immediately withdraw troops from Syria. Trump seemingly confirmed the sentiment with a tweet, and the White House issued a statement declaring "victories over ISIS" shortly after. And just seconds later, criticism started pouring in.
Following Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) rebuke of this decision, fellow GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe (Okla.) affirmed the Senate wasn't consulted before Trump's Wednesday declaration. Also agreeing with Graham, Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade tweeted that withdrawing from Syria "is a huge mistake" because "we are leaving allies who have been fighting for us ... ripe for slaughter." And Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) had a more blunt response.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Similarly, Mouaz Moustafa, director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force humanitarian group, emphasized that "we have NOT completely defeated ISIS and pulling out now allows them to make a resurgence." Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, a Council on Foreign Relations fellow who was in Syria last week, tweeted that "if the ISIS fight is over, no one has told ISIS." She then shared a moving photo showing how things in Syria have changed under U.S. intervention. Kathryn Krawczyk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published