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Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Is the US' Syria policy empowering Turkiye?
The Trump administration's decision to withdraw 500 troops from eastern Syria in April, and its stated aim of drawing down more, appears part of a broader shift in US policy toward Syria. In the immediate aftermath of Bashar Assad's fall, Washington seemed hostile toward the new regime. Officials expressed concern about the background of Syria's new president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and warned Damascus about the fate of Syria's minorities and the possible resurgence of Daesh. Yet, in recent months, President Donald Trump has agreed to drop sanctions on Syria and appointed a new envoy to Damascus, as well as reducing the US' military footprint in the east. This does not necessarily indicate that the US is embracing Al-Sharaa, despite Trump's complimentary words when they met in Riyadh. Instead, it seems the White House is 'de-prioritizing' Syria: reducing both its hostility, in the form of economic and diplomatic sanctions, and its military presence. This will be welcomed by Damascus, but also by the new leadership's principal regional ally, Turkiye. Indeed, Ankara appears to be the major beneficiary of the new US approach. The de-prioritizing has three primary strands. The first was to begin lifting sanctions. After his surprising meeting with Al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, Trump agreed to remove the sanctions crippling Syria's economy, arguing it 'would give them a chance.' As well as granting immediate sanction relief in late May, the White House is reportedly preparing an executive order that will permanently rescind a raft of economic restrictions. The second strand is direct engagement with the new regime. After meeting Al-Sharaa in person, Trump appointed the US' ambassador to Turkiye, Tom Barrack, as special envoy to Syria. Within days, Barrack travelled to Damascus and symbolically raised the Stars and Stripes over the US ambassador's residence there, the first time it had flown since Washington closed the embassy at the height of Syria's civil war in 2012. It seems the White House is 'de-prioritizing' Syria: reducing both its hostility and its military presence Christopher Phillips The third strand is a reduction in troop numbers in eastern Syria. As well as removing 500 of the 2,000 troops in recent weeks, US forces are cutting their number of military bases from eight to one. There are further plans to lower the number of troops to under 1,000, with Trump himself keen to remove all US forces. Combined, these changes suggest Washington is, as Trump said, willing to give the new regime a chance and that it is not interested in being a prominent player in post-Assad Syria. These shifts reflect Trump's apparent change in approach to the Middle East since his tour of the Gulf in May. His general preference, as in his first term, is to reduce the US' footprint in the region, while prioritizing opportunities that increase US trade. He remains concerned with confronting Iran over its nuclear deal and offering broad protection to Israel but, beyond these core concerns, he seems willing to allow key allies like Saudi Arabia and Turkiye to take the lead in regional matters that do not interest him. Syria falls within this latter category. With the economy in a poor state, there are few opportunities for Trump to make money for now — despite the appeal of building a Trump Tower in Damascus — and, with Iran having exited the scene, staying in eastern Syria to frustrate Tehran has lost its salience. Israel remains concerned with events in Syria, having launched several raids since the fall of Assad, arguing it is concerned about protecting the Druze community. However, Trump has shown signs of frustration with Benjamin Netanyahu in recent weeks, suggesting Washington will not let Israeli opposition to Al-Sharaa direct its approach to Damascus. But if one US regional ally will be somewhat frustrated by the new approach to Syria, another will be delighted. Turkiye benefits from all three of the US policy changes. Turkiye is well placed to benefit from any Syrian reconstruction, with its energy and construction companies lined up to play a prominent role. Trump lifting the sanctions removes any barriers to Turkish companies pouring into Syria, which would provide a much-needed boost to Turkiye's flagging economy. Trump meeting Al-Sharaa gives Turkiye's ally increased legitimacy, making it easier for Syria to be reintegrated Christopher Phillips The US' engagement with Damascus is similarly beneficial. Trump meeting Al-Sharaa gives Turkiye's ally increased legitimacy, making it easier for Syria to be reintegrated into the international community, which would also benefit Ankara. Moreover, Trump's appointment of Barrack as Damascus envoy, a role he will perform alongside his ambassadorship to Turkiye, is a major boost. Barrack is believed to be sympathetic to Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government and playing the dual roles means he is more likely to view Syria through how it relates to Turkiye. But the biggest benefit for Ankara is the drawing down in the east, something Erdogan has wanted for years. The US has already put serious pressure on its eastern Syrian ally, the Syrian Democratic Forces, to integrate into Al-Sharaa's new leadership and reducing troop numbers puts them in an even more precarious position. Ankara has long sought the destruction or dissolution of the SDF, so the less US protection they have, the more the SDF's leaders will feel compelled to abandon the goals of autonomy that Turkiye so strongly opposes. Turkiye's recent forming of an anti-Daesh coalition with Iraq, Jordan and Syria is similarly part of a wider strategy to convince the US that Ankara can lead anti-Daesh operations in the region, lessening Washington's need to back the SDF. The question, of course, is whether Trump and his administration recognize that Turkiye benefits from its new position on Syria, and whether it cares. One reading is that Erdogan has skillfully manipulated Trump, who is known to like the Turkish president. But another reading is that Trump is aware of the benefits but is happy to empower Turkiye in Syria — and hold Ankara to account if things go wrong. Whatever the truth, Turkiye is reaping the rewards of Washington's new approach to Syria. However, with this power could come responsibility for Ankara if the situation worsens.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Damascus Stands at Equal Distance in Hostility to Both Tel Aviv and Tehran
Damascus remains a wary onlooker as conflict escalates between Israel and Iran, a confrontation threatening to engulf the broader Middle East. Syria's state media has given top billing to the tit-for-tat strikes, with the country's main news channel devoting extended airtime to live coverage and in-depth analysis of the fast-moving developments. Despite widespread Arab and regional condemnation of Israel's actions, Syria has yet to issue an official statement or comment on the matter. In a notable statement, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of dragging the region and the world toward catastrophe, advised Syria to steer clear of the conflict. Erdogan described Israel's actions as 'reckless, aggressive and illegal,' calling them a clear provocation and blatant violation of international law. During a phone call with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Saturday, Erdogan urged Damascus to avoid being drawn into the regional confrontation. The two leaders discussed the rapidly intensifying Israeli-Iranian standoff and other regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. Syria has no intention of becoming involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, according to sources close to the government in Damascus, who say the war-ravaged country remains equally distrustful of both sides. 'The Syrian state is too fragile, and its priority is rebuilding and stabilization. It cannot afford to take ill-considered positions in a conflict involving two parties that have both contributed to Syria's destruction,' a senior source told Asharq Al-Awsat. The source said Damascus is exercising 'extreme caution' as regional tensions mount and is working to shield itself from any potential spillover. Since returning to the regional fold, Syria has placed how it deals with Israel issue firmly on the Arab and international agenda, advocating negotiations and the implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement without ruling out the possibility of a future peace deal. Despite repeated Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, including hits on military sites, Damascus has stuck to its position, seeking diplomatic solutions while avoiding direct confrontation. As for Iran, even after its withdrawal from Syria, Damascus still views Tehran as a rival, accusing it of continued interference and attempts to undermine Syria's security and stability. Sources close to the Syrian government said Damascus fears the broader implications of Israel's aggressive posture, warning that unchecked escalation could destabilize the entire region. 'There will be no official position from Damascus against either side, unless Syria itself is directly targeted,' one source said, noting that the government remains focused on protecting its own fragile recovery and avoiding entanglement in a wider regional conflict.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Syria rescuers say two killed in drone strikes on northwest
DAMASCUS: Two people were killed in separate drone strikes Tuesday on a car and a motorcycle in the northwestern bastion of the Islamist former rebels who now head the Syrian government, rescuers said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the twin drone strikes in the Idlib region but a US-led coalition in Syria has carried out past strikes on terrorists in the area. Earlier this year, the United States said it killed several commanders of Al-Qaeda's Syria affiliate Hurras Al-Din in the area. The group had recently announced it was breaking up on the orders of the interim government set up by the rebels after their overthrow of Bashar Assad in December. US troops are deployed in Syria as part of a US-led coalition to fight the Daesh group. When contacted by AFP, a US defense official said they were aware of the reports but had 'nothing to provide' at the time. During a meeting in Riyadh last month, US President Donald Trump called on his Syrian counterpart Ahmed Al-Sharaa to help Washington prevent a resurgence by Daesh.
CNN
08-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
On GPS: Syria, six months after the fall of Assad
It has been six months since Syria broke free from 53 years of repressive rule. Now a former al Qaeda militant, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, is running the country. Fareed talks with David Miliband, the former British foreign secretary and current head of the International Rescue Committee, about his recent trip to Syria, where he met with Al-Sharaa.
CNN
08-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
On GPS: Syria, six months after the fall of Assad
It has been six months since Syria broke free from 53 years of repressive rule. Now a former al Qaeda militant, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, is running the country. Fareed talks with David Miliband, the former British foreign secretary and current head of the International Rescue Committee, about his recent trip to Syria, where he met with Al-Sharaa.
