1. Trump Announces Withdrawal From Syria

2. President Trump has ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 American troops from Syria, bringing a sudden end to a military campaign that largely vanquished (thoroughly defeated) the Islamic State but cedes (gives) a strategically vital country to Russia. In overruling his generals and civilian advisers, President Trump fulfilled his frequently expressed desire to bring home American forces from a messy foreign entanglement. But his decision, conveyed via Twitter on Wednesday, plunges the administration’s Middle East strategy into disarray, rattling allies like Britain and Israel and forsaking Syria’s ethnic Kurds, who have been faithful partners in fighting the Islamic State. The abrupt, chaotic nature of the move — and the opposition it immediately provoked on Capitol Hill and beyond — raised questions about how the president will follow through with the full withdrawal. Even after the president’s announcement, the Pentagon (the center for our defense leaders) and State Department continued to try to talk him out of it. Although many people seem shocked by the move (especially Congress it seems), for more than a year, and particularly since the Islamic State has been driven from most of its territory in Syria’s north, the president has told advisers that he wanted to withdraw troops from the country. "We have won against ISIS,” President Trump declared in a video posted Wednesday evening on Twitter, adding, “Our boys, our young women, our men — they’re all coming back, and they’re coming back now.” The White House did not provide a timetable or other specifics for the military departure. Defense Department officials said that President Trump had ordered that the withdrawal be completed in 30 days. Those opposed to the withdrawal, like Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, argued that it would surrender Western influence in Syria to Russia and Iran, both of which are the chief benefactors of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and have provided him with years of financial and military support.

3. In Other News
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin announced her retirement from swimming Wednesday at the age of 23. She made her retirement official with a letter published on espnW.com. Franklin noted that she was diagnosed with "severe chronic tendonitis of both the rotator cuff and the bicep tendon," which contributed to her decision to step away from the sport. When Franklin was told she needed surgery to correct her injuries, she decided against it since she already underwent procedures on both shoulders to alleviate pain last year.
Altria, America's preeminent cigarette company, is looking beyond tobacco for growth. Altria is reportedly interested in buying a huge stake in e-cigarette maker Juul. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday Altria is seeking a 35% stake in Juul, worth nearly $13 billion. The investment would pair a company that controls half of the American tobacco market with Juul — which sells more than 70% of the cartridge-based e-cigarettes in the United States. The marriage would allow Altria to broaden its customer base. Juul sells its e-cigarettes in Canada, Israel, Russia and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States.