"My interpretation is that this is the unique way that our President communicates to the American People and the international audience,” Joseph Votel said in an email message.
The potentially explosive report will rank individual military installations and ships based on the likelihood that troops may experience sexual assault there.
Despite dire U.S. warnings and fears of a humanitarian disaster, the Trump administration has little leverage to stop Russia, Iran and Syria pressing ahead with a massive military assault against Syria’s northwest Idlib province.
Syrian regime forces have pushed into rebel territory, violating the de-escalation zone agreement negotiated between the U.S., Russia and Jordan last summer. But the U.S. military will not be stepping in to enforce the failing cease-fire.
The United States warned it would take “firm and appropriate measures” to protect a cease-fire in southern Syria if President Bashar Assad’s forces move against rebels there.