Softening Trump's Syria withdrawal plans, Bolton calls for Kurdish allies' protection, defeat of Islamic State

JERUSALEM - National security adviser John Bolton on Sunday seemingly walked back President Donald Trump's vow to speedily withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, setting down conditions that would probably require a prolonged American troop presence, including the protection of allied Kurdish forces and the defeat of Islamic State.

Less than three weeks ago, Trump upended U.S. policy in the region by abruptly announcing a pullout "now" of American forces, prompting his highly respected Defense secretary, James N. Mattis, to resign in protest and drawing a hail of bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who called the decision precipitous and highly damaging to relations with American allies.