We need the real story of why Trump sold out the Kurds

Editor’s Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a frequent opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to the Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. Follow her on Twitter @fridaghitis. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author. Read more opinion on CNN.

What was President Donald Trump thinking when he abruptly announced that he had agreed to reverse years of US policy in Syria and withdraw American forces, clearing the way for Turkey to launch an attack on what had been loyal US allies, handing a long-sought victory to America’s foes, including Iran and Russia

Frida Ghitis

Indeed, Trump’s decision came as a shock to America’s Kurdish friends in Syria, who reportedly found out about America’s betrayal from a tweet. “You are leaving us to be slaughtered,” a Syrian Kurd leader told a US diplomat.

Americans on the ground knew it. They knew many would die. Some Green Berets there said they felt “ashamed.” US allies worried that if Trump (meaning the United States) can suddenly betray its friends without warning, they could be next.

The decision, made after a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, caused an easy-to-foresee chain reaction of disasters so egregious, that even many of Trump’s most loyal Republican backers were appalled. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has bent and broken rules and norms to defend Trump, warned that a sudden withdrawal of US forces, “would only benefit Russia, Iran and the Assad regime.” Sen. Lindsay Graham called the move, “the biggest blunder of [Trump’s] presidency.” Rep. Liz Cheney called it a “shameful disaster.”

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Related video CNN reporter just back from Syria as Turkey moves in

Late on Monday, Trump announced new economic sanctions against Turkey for its “destabilizing actions in northeast Syria.” If nothing else, this is an acknowledgment that the removal of US troops was a grievous mistake. But that in no way excuses it; rather, it highlights how disastrously incoherent, chaotic and contradictory the policy is.

Trump’s Syria decision is so harmful, that it is imperative we find out what was behind it. What exactly did Trump and Erdogan say to each other on that phone call? Why did Trump agree to stand back and allow Erdogan’s forces – the Turkish army and Islamist militias – to make their move?

These are compelling questions that demand an answer. Congress should require that Trump turn over a complete transcript or recording of the call with Erdogan. In fact, we also need to find out what exactly Trump has discussed with Putin on this issue. The transcripts don’t need to be released to the public. Maybe a joint committee of Congress or even a panel of judges can hear the evidence. But the steps and reasoning that led to this catastrophic self-inflicted wound on American security and standing in the world must be scrutinized.

If Trump refuses, we will know he has something to hide.

American presidents enjoy a great deal of latitude, particularly on foreign policy. Trump, like his predecessors, has a right to make the wrong strategic decisions. He has a right to make stupid mistakes. God knows previous US presidents have made them before. But presidents must make these decisions, even foolish ones, based on what they think is in the best interest of the United States.

A car burns following a car bomb explosion in Tal Abyad, a city in northern Syria near the Turkey border, on Saturday, November 23.

Kurdish demonstrators hurl rocks at a Turkish military vehicle on Friday, November 8, during a joint Turkish-Russian patrol near the town of Al-Muabbadah in the northeastern part of Hassakah on the Syrian border with Turkey.

A man stands next to a burning motorcycle at the site of a deadly car bomb explosion in Tal Abyad, Syria, on Saturday, November 2. Turkey's defense ministry blamed the Kurdish People's Protection Units and the Kurdistan Workers Party, while a group aligned with the Kurds blamed Turkey.

A man inspects the site of the car bomb explosion in Tal Abyad.

A Turkish and Russian patrol is seen near the town of Darbasiyah, Syria, on Friday, November 1. Turkey and Russia launched patrols in northeastern Syria under a deal that halted the Turkish offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters.

Turkish soldiers east of Ras al-Ain watch as a tank fires on positions held by the Syrian Democratic Forces on Monday, October 28.

Syrian Kurds wave flags in Qamishli as they take part in a demonstration in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces on October 28.

Kurdish forces withdraw from an area near the Turkish border with Syria on Sunday, October 27.

Displaced Syrian children sit on classroom tables at a school turned into a shelter on Thursday, October 24.

Russian military police began patrols on part of the Syrian border on Wednesday, October 23.

People angry over the US withdrawal hurl potatoes at American military vehicles as they pass through Qamishli on Monday, October 21. The image was taken from video provided by the Kurdish Hawar News Agency.

US military vehicles drive after pulling out of their base in the northern Syrian town of Tal Tamr on Sunday, October 20.

A US service member looks out of an armored vehicle as troops pull out of their base in Tal Tamr.

Smoke billows from a fire in Ras al-Ain, Syria, on Friday, October 18. US Vice President Mike Pence announced a day earlier that he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to a ceasefire halting Turkey's incursion into northern Syria. The Turkish government insisted that the agreement was not a ceasefire, but only a "pause" on operations in the region.

A woman reacts as a man's dead body arrives at a hospital in Ras al-Ain on October 18.

Displaced Syrians carry their belongings at a refugee camp north of Mosul, Iraq, on Thursday, October 17.

Local residents cheer as Turkish army tanks are transported on the outskirts of Akcakale, Turkey, on October 17.

A local resident of Ras al-Ain kisses the forehead of a member of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army on October 17.

Displaced people ride a motorcycle on the outskirts of Tal Tamr, Syria, on Wednesday, October 16.

People in Qamishli, Syria, attend a funeral Monday, October 14, for five fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

A person inspects damage to a building in Akcakale, Turkey, on Sunday, October 13. The building was damaged by a mortar fired from inside Syria.

Some fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces are buried in Qamishli on Saturday, October 12.

Smoke billows from Tal Abyad, Syria, on Friday, October 11.

Pro-Turkish Syrian fighters drive an armored personnel carrier across the border into Syria on October 11.

People drive past shops in Akcakale, Turkey, that were closed by owners who feared incoming shelling from Syria.

Turkish-backed fighters of the Free Syrian Army head toward Tal Abyad, Syria, on Thursday, October 10.

Refugees arrive in Tal Tamr, Syria, after fleeing the fighting on October 10.

A woman holds a baby after arriving in Tal Tamr.

Smoke rises from Tal Abyad, Syria, on October 10.

People in Akcakale, Turkey, watch smoke billow from inside Syria.

Turkish soldiers move into Tal Abyad.

Smoke rises from the Syrian city of Ras al-Ain on Wednesday, October 9.

Civilians flee during the bombardment on October 9. Roads were gridlocked with hundreds of fleeing families.

Turkish troops prepare for the operation on October 9.

Refugees leave their homes near the Turkey-Syria border.

Turkish military vehicles drive through Akcakale, Turkey, near the border.

Turkey launched airstrikes and artillery fire across the border on October 9.

Residents of Akcakale cheer as a convoy of Turkish military vehicles is driven to the Syrian border just after the offensive began.

"Our aim is to destroy the terror corridor which is trying to be established on our southern border and to bring peace and peace to the region," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted as he announced the start of the operation.

Smoke is seen in Tal Abyad, Syria, on October 9.

Kurdish people in Ras al-Ain, Syria, wave their group's flags as they protest against a military operation on Monday, October 7.

In photos: The conflict in northern Syria

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Trump’s order to clear the way for a Turkish attack on US allies does not meet that most basic test. There is no reason to expect that America will gain absolutely anything from this costly policy reversal. It goes against every geopolitical objective of the Unites States. Trump’s claim that this was a move to “end endless wars,” is baseless. This force was already a low-cost mechanism for ending endless wars, for preventing new ones and for keeping existing ones from getting worse.

Even if he wanted to withdraw, why do it without preparation?

To be sure, President Obama made terrible mistakes in Syria, but this small force, built over the course of half a decade, achieved impressive results. The Syrian Kurds were a force multiplier. They did most of the fighting against ISIS, losing thousands of men and women warriors. (Yes, women are an integral part of the Kurdish forces that Turkey views as a terrorist organization.)

America’s low-cost presence was a success story, helping to bring a measure of stability to northeastern Syria, curtailing Iran’s advance and blocking Tehran’s efforts to build a continuous land bridge to the Mediterranean – aimed partly at threatening Israel – and limiting Russia’s advances

The chances of war between Iran and Israel are now greater. The strength of Russia is enhanced as its ally Assad recaptures more of Syria, and emerges more beholden to Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.

And then there’s ISIS. If Obama’s withdrawal from Iraq helped bring ISIS to life, Trump’s withdrawal from Syria may just bring it back from near-death.

The stain will not soon wash away. America’s betrayal left the Syrian Kurds – who have been trying to develop a working democracy – with no other choice but to get help from Assad, the Syrian dictator who slaughtered civilians using chemical weapons and starvation tactics.

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the US military during an unannounced trip to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, December 26, 2018. - President Donald Trump arrived in Iraq on his first visit to US troops deployed in a war zone since his election two years ago (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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America has betrayed its friends before, but it was always in the face of a profound moral dilemma. A moral compromise to avoid something worse, or to gain something different. But there was no dilemma here.

Why did Trump do it?

The President already told us, before becoming president, that he had “a little conflict of interest” with Turkey, where he has substantial business concerns, including not one but two Trump towers. But maybe that has nothing to do with it. Maybe it was just arrogance, carelessness, hubris.

Under normal circumstances, we might shake our heads at Trump’s decision; call it a horrible mistake and make the best of it. But these are not normal circumstances, and this is not just any poor tactical move. This foreign policy travesty demands answers.