It's time for peace, stability in Syria

Washington's decisions regarding the Middle East have a tendency to leave chaos and destruction in their wake, as they are usually both self-serving and shortsighted. It is to be hoped the latest proves to be an exception.

Although a complete withdrawal from Syria has been his long-stated mission, it still came as a surprise when US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he is pulling all US troops out of the country. He had just broadened the US objectives in Syria from fighting the Islamic State group to wiping out all proxy forces in the country earlier this year.

And although the United States now only has about 2,000 troops in Syria mainly on a train-and-advise mission to support local forces fighting the Islamic State group, their withdrawal will still have geopolitical significance.