Leave victory to the Syrians, anticipate the inevitable security risks and, finally, rejoice at the reconfiguration of the Middle East that is taking shape: Such was the American perspective, after the tornado that swept away the regime in Damascus. In a speech delivered on Sunday, December 8, Joe Biden hailed a "fundamental act of justice" and a "moment of historic opportunity." He said he was ready to work with regional leaders, as well as with all of the factions currently involved in the liberation of Syria.
The Biden administration feels vindicated in its strategy, which has stayed constant since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The ripple effects of this major event are ongoing. Through uncompromisingly standing by Israel, despite the massive war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip by Israel's army, Washington sees itself as the indirect sponsor of the pro-Iranian axis' rout. "For years," explained Biden, "the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed – all three of them – because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office."
Calling Iran's decision to launch a multi-front war against Israel a "historic mistake," Biden also cited his administration's constant support for Ukraine, from the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. It has enabled it to concentrate Russian military efforts into this theater of operations – at extreme cost, in terms of personnel and equipment.
This would explain Moscow's unwillingness or inability to come to the Syrian regime's aid, unlike in the past. "They've lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where nearly 600,000 Russian soldiers have been wounded or killed, in a war that should never have started and could go on forever," wrote President-elect Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social network, on Saturday. In a previous message, he stated that the United States should refrain from any involvement in Syria. He also recalled that Barack Obama had refused to intervene militarily against the regime, in August 2013, despite its use of chemical weapons against its own population.
The White House has insisted that it intends to facilitate, but not direct, the political transition effort in Syria. For the time being, its preferred negotiating partner remains the Syrian Democratic Forces coalition, led by Kurdish fighters. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement, who have entered Damascus, have come under close scrutiny. HTS remains classified as a terrorist organization, and there is still a $10 million bounty on its leader's head.
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