There are three challenges Trump faces in trying to bring peace to Syria. Firstly, Syria is the home base for ISIS which is responsible for over 140 terrorist attacks around the world either directly or indirectly.
Secondly, Trump considers Assad the brutal dictator that he is. On the other hand Russia and Iran support Assad claiming he will bring stability back to his country through their support. Meanwhile, a minimum of 400,000 victims, citizens of his own country, prove Russia and Iran wrong. The lack of action from the U.S. has created the vacuum that allowed those people to get killed in Syria (and thousands more in Iraq). This has amounted to the worst humanitarian crisis since World War 2. However, this vacuum also allowed Russia to step in and for he U.S.to step in now will cause a confrontation Russia which is not a good idea.
Thirdly, the solutions that may work in Syria will have impact on many other countries in the region as the conflict has spread across the Middle East. Countries are now looking to break up and be re-divided along ethnic and religious lines. If this happens in Syria it will be a model for rebellion in more of the Middle East. We can expect to see much more bloodshed as governments struggle to maintain control and crush these uprisings.
These are major challenges. Is the author of “The Art of the Deal” equal to the task ahead?