President Trump ordered the withdraw of U.S. troops from Syria, and declared that America had "defeated ISIS." WSJ's Gerald F. Seib discusses the significance of the decision and its consequences. Photo: APAbrupt plans for U.S. troop pullouts from Syria and Afghanistan and the departure of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis are raising fresh concerns among U.S. allies and adversaries alike about a new phase of volatility in Washington’s military posture and foreign policy. Mr. Mattis, a former four-star Marine general who has been one of President Trump’s most prominent cabinet members since his inauguration nearly two years ago, was regarded by many U.S. allies as a steadying influence, offering a sense of continuity even as...

Source: Wall Street Journal December 21, 2018 08:45 UTC