“The president’s decision to leave Syria was made without deliberation, consultation with allies or Congress, assessment of risk, or appreciation of facts. Two days after Pompeo’s call, Trump tweeted, “We have defeated ISIS in Syria.” But that was not true, and we have continued to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State. Days later, he claimed that Saudi Arabia had ‘now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria.’ But that wasn’t true, either, as the Saudis later confirmed. Trump also suggested that U.S. military forces could leave Syria within 30 days, which was logistically impossible.” The former presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS reflects on Trump’s decision to leave Syria (which may have been the most pivotal decision of his presidency, as it led to the Mattis departure): Trump said he beat ISIS. Instead, he’s giving it new life.