ISIS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WAR: “With the Syrian Civil War entering its ninth year this month, the Trump administration is proposing to zero out all new US funding for stabilization efforts in the country. This move comes as the administration is pressing allies to step up their commitment to the ongoing crisis both militarily and financially and as the US is pulling most of its troops out of the country. Members of Congress from both parties, some of whom are re-introducing legislation this week that would prevent taxpayer dollars from going to reconstruction in any areas in Syria controlled by Assad, are calling this a mistake that strengthens the Assad regime and hurts efforts to defeat ISIS…Boyle points out the plan, which is contained in the administration’s State Department budget proposal, would hurt efforts to secure the release of American citizens being detained in Syria. As of last summer, the US had spent a total of $90 million in northeast Syria on counter-ISIS stabilization efforts, according to the former anti-ISIS envoy, Brett McGurk. That money had been spent on projects including efforts to get clean water running, supporting schools so that students can return, clearing extensive rubble and demining areas so they are livable for returning Syrians.”
–Kylie Atwood, “Trump admin seeks to zero out Syria stabilization fund,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, March 13, 2019 5:37 pm