The man without a plan

摘要

Behold the "great and unmatched wisdom" of President Donald Trump. On October 6th he announced that American troops would withdraw from northernmost Syria, all but endorsing a Turkish offensive against America's Kurdish allies in the region. He did not warn the Kurds, who had fought bravely against the jihadists of Islamic State (is). It was time to let others, such as Russia and Iran, "figure the situation out", he said. But hours later, after even his Republican colleagues objected, Mr Trump stepped back. Turkey, he warned, should not do anything that he considers "off limits". Ignoring him, Turkish forces launched a campaign on October 9th that threatens not only to revive is, but also to condemn Syria to yet another cycle of slaughter.