In this opinion essay for The New York Times, Elliot Ackerman examines President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from northern Syria and the consequences for Kurdish allies.
Drawing on personal experience in the region, Ackerman argues that abandoning partners who fought alongside the United States against ISIS damages American credibility and weakens future alliances.
Syria, Turkey, and the Kurdish Question
Ackerman explores Turkey’s ambitions under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the fate of Syrian refugees, and the uncertain future of Kurdish forces along the Turkish border.
Alliance, Loyalty, and Strategic Memory
The essay connects the Syrian withdrawal to broader lessons about loyalty in war, warning that unfair treatment of allies can carry consequences for decades.
The Cost of Abandonment
At its center, the piece argues that short-term disengagement can create long-term instability, especially when Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the Assad regime are playing for enduring influence.