AFP :
Israeli leaders have lauded Donald Trump for his list of decisions in support of their country since taking office, but the mercurial president’s withdrawal of US troops from Syria will not rank among them.
After Trump’s surprise announcement of the pullout last week, Israel is concerned over whether its main enemy Iran will have a freer hand to operate in the neighbouring country, analysts say. Israel’s response to the announcement has been measured – careful to point out that it respects the US decision, coupled with pledges to continue to defend its interests in Syria. But beneath those public pronouncements are worries over whether Iran will seek to take advantage of the US absence from the war-torn country and if Russia will respond to Israel’s calls to limit it.
Israeli leaders have lauded Donald Trump for his list of decisions in support of their country since taking office, but the mercurial president’s withdrawal of US troops from Syria will not rank among them.
After Trump’s surprise announcement of the pullout last week, Israel is concerned over whether its main enemy Iran will have a freer hand to operate in the neighbouring country, analysts say. Israel’s response to the announcement has been measured – careful to point out that it respects the US decision, coupled with pledges to continue to defend its interests in Syria. But beneath those public pronouncements are worries over whether Iran will seek to take advantage of the US absence from the war-torn country and if Russia will respond to Israel’s calls to limit it.
