Trump Administration Pulls $230M From Syria Stabilization Efforts

The State Department told Congress Friday that it plans to take the $230 million originally earmarked by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for stabilization efforts in Syria and use it “to support other key foreign policy priorities.” As The Daily Beast reported previously, the vast majority of those funds have been in limbo since Tillerson was abruptly fired in March. The Associated Press reports that the administration is ending funding for stabilization projects and has defended this move by arguing that the cut won’t impact “life-saving, needs-based humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Syrians.” The administration said the funding cut would also be offset by $300 million in increased contributions from U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia. But the Associated Press adds that the fund withdrawal signifies a serious step towards Trump’s controversial plan to extricate the U.S. from Syria, which has drawn criticism from those who fear that it will leave the region vulnerable to Russia, Iran, and the Islamic State.