I lack knowledge of the issues revealed here -- but I am reading "The Untold History of the United States” (by Oliver Stone & Peter Kuznick), which was published in October 2012 -- and it covers the recent history of the USA (from roughly 1945 to the present). What the authors point to is that the US government has military bases all over the world, and our government engages in "empire building". As a result, the US has, at times, engaged in military action to secure, or to keep territory and resources for our use - at the expense of other nations and peoples.

The "Introduction" begins with a statement: "Roots of Empire: War is a Racket" - which is the premise on which the story of our government's goals & objectives is based. With 750 pages of narration and documentation, Stone & Kuznick make a good argument for their perspective in the book. I'm not finished with the book yet, but it's engrossing and informative and I can't put it down... However, there are some very uncomfortable stories here.

Your accounting here on the US Troops Withdrawal Plan - and it's impact on Geopolitics - fits well with Stone & Kuznick's narrative. Trump's militant posture is also characteristic of American international diplomacy - which is not a justification for his international diplomacy (or lack of it...) but it is characteristic.

I think, at this late stage in his first term in Office, we all know that Donald Trump is an authoritarian, and as such, I'd say he is inclined to impose his political will on other nations and take what he wants. I really hate saying this, but that is, historically, the American Way.

We've elected a dictator -- George Washington and Benjamin Franklin would have been appalled. We should be appalled. We need to rectify this dreadful dilemma, and replace our dictator with a patriot.