Trump defies Israel’s concern; recognizes Syria's new Govt, says 'It was the right thing to do…'

President Donald Trump said on Friday (May 16) he did not consult ally Israel about the U.S. decision to recognize Syria's new government, despite deep Israeli suspicion of Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration. Trump said on Tuesday (May 13) he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria, a major policy shift before meeting Sharaa.Trump also told media he brought up missing U.S. citizen Austin Tice with the Syrian leader. Tice, a former U.S. Marine and a freelance journalist, was 31 when he was abducted in August 2012 while reporting in Damascus on the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted by Syrian rebels who seized the capital Damascus.