The worst of all nightmares

The abrupt decision of President Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from northern Syria caught friend and enemy alike by surprise. Obviously for enemies of the US, it was a pleasant surprise. For US friends and allies, it was an awful surprise.

Commentaries on both sides of the fence called the sudden decision chaotic, dangerous and unruly. President Trump apparently sees the world in terms of "America First", and disregards the post-World War II era of alliances and traditional allies.

This impulsive decision by Trump was the straw that broke the camel's back for Secretary of Defence James Mattis, who was the one of the few remaining bedrocks of steady US policies, but chose to resign rather than become associated with Trump's decisions.

In retrospect, the first 20 months of Trump’s rule saw a large number of Cabinet officials who have either resigned or been fired. Former FBI director James Comey was fired first. Former secretary of state Rex Tillerson was also one of the early casualties and Cabinet members removed from office. Chief of staff John Kelly is also on the way out.

When US foreign policies become chaotic and disorderly, it does not only have serious and lasting implications for the US itself, but also for the entire world and, above all, the traditional allies of Washington. Countries of the Middle East had an early taste of Trump's unorthodox policies when he suddenly recogised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017, and relocated the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem with much fanfare. That was a shocker!

What awaits us is even more ominous; when the so-called "deal of the century" is disclosed. Yet, above all, the most devastating development could be Trump's utter disregard and abandonment of US traditional allies and friends in the region. That would be the nightmare of all nightmares.