Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Syria / Progress on full withdrawal from Syria is optimal policy
Syria, Basing and force posture, Middle East, Military analysis

April 17, 2025

Progress on full withdrawal from Syria is optimal policy

By Daniel DePetris

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2025
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Recent reports indicate that the Trump administration is considering a reduction of U.S. forces stationed in Syria. Defense Priorities Fellow Daniel DePetris issued the following statement in response:

“Every rationale used to maintain a U.S. military presence in Syria is no longer relevant today. ISIS’s caliphate was destroyed during President Trump’s first term and now exists as a low-level insurgency fighting multiple adversaries, including the new Syrian government. With the Assad regime’s collapse, Iran’s influence in Syria is at a low point. Russia, one of Assad’s biggest foreign backers, struggles to retain some of its deteriorating military presence. And the Syrian Kurds are exploring the benefits of rapprochement with the new government in Damascus.

“The Trump administration’s consideration of a partial troop departure from Syria is a productive step, and the U.S. should go further and urgently withdraw all permanent military forces there. Withdrawal would not only finally end a mission that accomplished its goals years ago, but also facilitate a much-needed deprioritization of Syria and the Middle East. Local actors in the region—with a far greater stake in Syria—will be forced to take primary responsibility for the burden of an effective political transition there.

“Keeping U.S. forces in Syria will delay this process and increase the risk American servicemembers will become a target if the regional security environment deteriorates.”

Author

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

In the mediaIsrael‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Middle East

U.S. used about a quarter of its high-end missile interceptors in Israel-Iran war, exposing supply gap

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

August 28, 2025

In the mediaMiddle East, Israel

Has Gaza tested the limits of Donald Trump’s support for Benjamin Netanyahu?

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

July 30, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

What does Trump really want in Gaza?

By Daniel DePetris

July 30, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Why Trump has little interest in delivering a ceasefire in Gaza

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

July 30, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Military analysis

America needs to take better care of its military

By Dan Caldwell

July 28, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Iran, Israel, Middle East

There are no more reasons for U.S. presence in Middle East

By William Walldorf

July 28, 2025

Events on Syria

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025
virtualMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Israel‑Iran, Syria, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East

January 16, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved