The U.S. will shrink its military footprint in Syria over the coming months, bringing troop levels below 1,000. Why it matters: President Trump tried to pull all American forces from the war-ravaged country during his first term.

The US has begun withdrawing hundreds of troops from the northeastern part of Syria. Several military bases in the country are also being closed, according to The New York Times. The US military leadership is closing three out of eight of its small operating bases in northeast Syria.