New Title: U.S. Stance on Aftermath of Assad’s Ousting: An In-depth Study
Rewritten Content:
Operating from the epicenter of U.S. politics, the Capitol, President Joe Biden earmarked the termination of Bashar al-Assad’s rule over Syria as an era-defining moment for the Syrian people, who have endured prolonged suffering since Sunday. Nevertheless, he didn’t accentuate the potentially beneficial part this could have for the U.S.
Assad’s departure doesn’t just cut short his family’s draconian era that lasted more than half a century, but also shakes the bedrock of Russia and Iran’s strategic dominance in the Middle East. On the flip side, the U.S could potentially find a new ally in its endeavors to tackle the Islamic State, and it could possibly pave the way for the release of U.S journalist Austin Tice, abducted in Syria more than a decade ago. To quote Middle East expert Qutaiba Idlbi from The Atlantic Council, a non-partisan organization in Washington, “This is indeed a golden chance.”
President Biden and his staff have communicated the U.S.’ willingness to unite with a new Syrian government, emphasizing that the future of Syria should be in the hands of the Syrians themselves.
But, this comes with its own set of complications. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the main Islamic rebel faction that dethroned Assad and is currently prepping for a transitional government, was labeled as an overseas terrorist outfit by the U.S. in 2018. A bounty of $10 million hangs over HTS leader, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, who had Al-Qaeda affiliations, for anyone providing information leading to his capture via the FBI.
But now with HTS in control, the current Biden administration finds itself in the thorny position of negotiating with an organization they themselves identify as a terrorist group. As per reports from NBC News on Tuesday, the administration is considering to overturn HTS’s terrorist status.
Despite these hurdles, they keep the dialogue channels open with various factions in Syria, offering their assistance to Syrians throughout the transition. John Kirby, White House’s national security spokesperson, on Tuesday, endorsed the idea that a firm and secure Syria is coherent with U.S.’s national security goals.
However, Biden also reminded people of the terror record and human rights breaches committed by the rebel groups instrumental in toppling Assad, despite al-Golani’s recent assurances to protect minority rights. He stated, “They are offering the right pledges currently, but their actions will be the actual test as they assume greater responsibilities, not simply their words.”
For Steven Simon, an ex-senior director at the National Security Council during President Bill Clinton’s term, Assad’s collapse dealt a critical blow to Russia. According to him, “any harm to Russia will inevitably benefit the United States.”
Even though U.S. interest in Syria has been largely superficial, recent attention has diverted to containing the spread of the Islamic State, which in 2014, had dominance over extensive areas in Iraq and Syria. With Assad’s rule exterminated, restrictions on ISIS should become more manageable, says Idlbi.
Following the downfall of Assad’s reign, the U.S has executed several air strikes aimed at ISIS camps within Syria. The U.S Central Command affirmed that more than 75 targets were hit to thwart the terror group’s comeback amidst the instability in Syria.
Moreover, the breakdown of Assad’s regime provides the U.S. a fresh opportunity to determine the location of Austin Tice, the freelance journalist who vanished in Syria in August 2012, while covering the civil conflict.
This article is by White House reporter Michael Collins. You can follow him on X @mcollinsNEWS.