So Donald Trump is apparently halving troop numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had heard he sacked his minister of defence shortly after the election, this must be the reason he did that I don't think a US defence minister would agree to this.

So how will this affect Syria I wonder? The logistics for the US forces in Syria of course run through Iraq and whatever is deployed in Iraq is in a position to be deployed in Syria quickly and easily, and whatever air assets are in Iraq can be used in Syria. Maybe they are withdrawing from Syria as well but I doubt that, this will leave them more vulnerable and with fewer resources in this theatre though. But who knows, it could be just political, if it's that important then Biden will have to send the troops back and that will make him look bad which may be the whole point.