Trump signs law authorizing Congress’ review of his Syria strategy

With his signature Friday (Oct. 5), US President Trump cleared the way for Congress to begin a months-long review of his evolving strategy in Syria, Washington Examiner reported.

The creation of a 12-member Syria Study Group was tucked inside an unrelated bill Trump just signed into law, the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. The legislation allows Republicans and Democrats to appoint experts to the panel, which is mandated to hand a final report to Congress in six months.

The review panel, championed by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., comes as the U.S. military works to eliminate remaining Islamic State forces in Syria after four years of war and the Trump administration pushes a new policy aimed at keeping a presence there until Iran leaves.

It “will bring outside experts together to finally develop a US strategy in Syria,” Shaheen, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, said in a statement.

The final report will include a full assessment of activity by Iran, Russia, and others in the country, military and diplomatic recommendations, and “options for a gradual political transition to a post-Assad Syria,” according to the legislation.

The panel of experts will make a progress report to lawmakers in January.

Trump said earlier this year he wants the roughly 2,000 troops in Syria to return home “very soon,” but his own advisers, cabinet members, and military leaders have indicated in recent days that the US may remain involved for the foreseeable future.