Bolton After Visit to Israel: U.S. Won't Leave Syria Until Certain 'Objectives' Achieved

During his visit to Israel, National Security Adviser John Bolton was openly contradicting President Trump on the withdrawal from Syria, and suggested that there would be no withdrawal at all until multiple conditions were met.

Bolton said that pockets of ISIS are undefeated and that the US would have to wipe those out before a pullout. He further said that there must be guarantees of safety for the Kurds, as well as for Israel.

On top of this, another unnamed "senior" official said that US troops might stay in al-Tanf, in southeastern Syria, even after the pullout. This official suggested that the US would consult with Jordan and Israel before doing anything.

All of this stands in contrast to very explicit Trump positions assuring that the battle is won, that Israel would be fine, and that the US has no interest in staying in Syria. Whether Bolton's statement marks another shift in policy remains to be seen.

It may well be that this statement is intended to be vague reassurance to Israel, where officials were upset by the US pullout. Since the whole process has slowed down and exact details aren't clear, anything that provides reassurance can probably be justified after the fact, whether true or not.

Speaking during a visit to Israel, Bolton said that certain "objectives" must be achieved before a pullout could take place. "The timetable flows from the policy decisions that we need to implement."

[...]"It's also very important that as we discuss with members of the coalition, (and) other countries that have an interest, like Israel and Turkey, that we expect that those who have fought with us in Syria . . . particularly the Kurds," not be put in "jeopardy" by the withdrawal, said Bolton, who plans to travel Tuesday to Ankara.

Just landed in is Israel. Looking forward to meeting with Israeli senior officials tomorrow to discuss a range of shared priorities between the United States and Israel, including the enduring U.S. commitment to Israel’s security.

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 5, 2019

There is no change to the US position against the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime - any further use will be met by a swift, strong response.

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 6, 2019

Thank you PM @netanyahu for the warm welcome back to Israel. The alliance between the United States and Israel is unbreakable, and under the Trump Administration, our ties grow ever stronger by the day. U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense is unwavering. pic.twitter.com/zRRK38Zr1E

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 7, 2019

I met w/ PM @netanyahu, the Director of Mossad, & the Israeli Atomic Energy Commissioner. Discussions included our ongoing efforts to expand & enhance our historic partnership w/ Israel, our mutual response to the threat from Iran, & the coordinated U.S. drawdown in Syria.

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 7, 2019

Visited the historic Western Wall and tunnels in Jerusalem today. A great accomplishment to uncover all of this history, from the very start of our common civilization. pic.twitter.com/8ydixlxo3r

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 7, 2019

The alliance between the United States and Israel is unbreakable, and under this Administration, our ties grow ever stronger by the day. U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense is unwavering.

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 7, 2019

Many thanks to my Israeli counterpart, National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, for his hospitality as we continue to elevate the cooperation between our NSCs.

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 7, 2019