Welcome!

I eagerly look forward to your posts, as I am deeply concerned with security (although my posts don't focus on it) and how it affects development.

I do have a quick question, and hope I'm not jumping the shark. I am trying to parse conflicting sources regarding current American actions overseas, particularly in Syria and the Philippines. On one hand some sources report that Trump has begun de-escalization in Syria, and terminated support for terrorism. Those sources also report that Trump has dispatched troops to the Philippines to crush the recent terrorist expansion there.

The other hand reports that the recent downing of a Syrian warplane shows Trump is continuing the status quo (US support for terrorism), and the Philippines actions are actually supporting ISIS (or nom de jour) there.

Can you provide your assessment please? Is there a break with past policy, or do those policies remain in the Trump administration?

Thanks!