The Syrian military strategy of President Assad is well-known. It is explained here, and here. This strategy has succeeded. The Assad coalition of forces is defeating his opponents. They are continuing steadily to clear remaining opposition forces from Syria. Raqqa has not been central to Assad. Neither has Manjib. They remain to be “cleaned up”, but they were not of strategic importance to Assad and still aren’t. Trump’s introduction of U.S. boots on the ground adds a new layer of conflicting territorial objectives and conflicting political control over certain contested cities and villages. He has gotten the U.S. directly involved … Continue reading Raqqa and Manjib Not Central to Assad