Obama's retreat from Iraq shows the perils of leaving too soon

Washington Post:
U.S. military says it’s not finished with ISIS in Syria even as Trump pushes for exit

The Pentagon’s mission against the militant group remains open-ended despite President Trump’s desire for a quick U.S. withdrawal. Pentagon leaders, mindful of the fleeting nature of earlier military gains in Iraq and Afghanistan, have spoken repeatedly of the need for a robust post-conflict agenda.
I do not dispute the militaries analysis of the danger of ISIS making a comeback.  But I think the bigger problem is allowing Iran to fill the vacuum left by withdrawing US troops which could lead to a regional war involving the Sunni states and Israel against Iran. 

It would be a mistake to underestimate Iran's ambitions for hegemony in the region.  It could also lead to greater Russian influence in the region.  Another downside would be what would happen to our most dependable allies in Syria, the Kurds.  Turkey and Iran with Russian help would likely try to exterminate them.

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