The Trump administration has begun a substantial drawdown of its military footprint in Syria, shuttering three of its eight operational bases and reducing troop levels. This development follows the emergence of a post-Assad administration in Damascus. The move represents partial progress toward a long-held goal of President Trump to scale back U.S. involvement in Syria, underscoring his ongoing effort to redefine America’s global role. While the prospect of withdrawal has circulated in Washington policy circles for years, its implementation remains a source of contention. It is also a sore point in Turkish-American relations, as it relates to the U.S. support for the YPG. Key questions over the potential withdrawal’s strategic implications remain: How will such a recalibration impact the U.S.-Türkiye relations? How will regional actors respond to the reduced American footprint in Syria? What lies ahead for Syria in terms of its security and territorial unity? How might key players like Israel interpret and react to Washington’s shifting posture?

The SETA Foundation at Washington, D.C. is pleased to host a timely panel discussion to examine these critical questions. The discussion will explore how the Trump administration’s recalibration may reshape U.S. policy toward Syria and its neighbors, impact bilateral relations with Türkiye, and influence the balance of power in the region.

Speakers

Mike Doran, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, Hudson Institute

Rich Outzen, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council

Kadir Ustun, Executive Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DC

Moderator

Kilic Kanat, Research Director, The SETA Foundation at Washington DC