All of the foregoing notwithstanding, on December 19, Donald Trump shocks America and the world when CNN reports that “planning is underway for a ‘full’ and ‘rapid’ withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, [a] decision made by President Trump, [according to] a U.S. defense official.”13 The same day, Trump tweets, “We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump presidency.”14 In response, a Pentagon official gives the following statement to CNN: “So when does Russia announce their victory?”15 The answer turns out to be “within hours,” as Putin in the midafternoon
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