“In March, President Donald Trump said that ‘very soon’ he would bring U.S. troops home from Syria. Today, his defense secretary suggested any such drawdown remains far off. In a rare Pentagon press conference, James Mattis said a drawdown must wait for more diplomatic progress toward a United Nations-negotiated peace in Geneva that deposes Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Yet Assad continues to consolidate his power against a dwindling rebel movement, aided by Russia and Iran, even as pockets of ISIS fighters stand their ground.”

Source: Mattis: US Troops Can’t Leave Syria Until UN Peace Talks Advance – Defense One