BACKING DOWN

Trump Ends Covert CIA Program to Arm Anti-Assad Rebels

Officials said ending the program reflects Trump’s willingness to work with Russia.

President Trump will end a covert CIA program to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight against the government of Bashar al-Assad, a move supported by the Russian government, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. The program began under the Obama administration to put pressure on Assad to step down. However, many have questioned the program’s success since Russia deployed troops to Syria two years ago. Officials said ending the program reflects Trump's willingness to develop of a constructive relationship with Russia, which saw the program as an assault on its interests. The decision to scrap the program is also reportedly based in the Trump White House’s limited ability and desire to remove Assad from power.