President-elect Donald Trump is preparing for his second term in the White House, just weeks after the sudden collapse of Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime. This is a pivotal moment that could test President Trump's long-standing promise to end US involvement in so-called “forever.” Either start a “war” in the Middle East, or let these countries wear more of America's boots.
With about six weeks left in office, President Trump appears unwilling to back away from his pledge to pursue a foreign policy that prioritizes domestic issues and avoids entanglements overseas.
But President Trump's pledge to end U.S. foreign military involvement may be tested in Syria. The situation in the country is now very different than during President Trump's first term, with a government seen as ripe for exploitation by the government and other foreign powers, including terrorist groups.
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U.S. Army soldiers survey the area during a joint patrol in Manbij, Syria, in 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Special Forces Zoe Garbarino, via AP)
“This is our fight,” President Trump said on Truth Social over the weekend, as rebel-backed fighters marched into Damascus and Assad was forced to flee to Moscow for safe haven. No, let it happen. Don't get caught up in it.”
President Trump acknowledged that the foreign policy landscape he inherits in 2025 could be more complex than in his first term, especially in the Middle East.
President Trump attended the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral earlier this week and told leaders in Paris that “the world certainly seems a little bit crazy right now.”
Here we outline what President Trump did in Syria in 2019 and how his actions fall short today.
Current situation
In Syria, the speed with which rebels have succeeded in retaking control of key cities and forcing Assad to flee to Moscow for safe haven has left many, including analysts and diplomats with years of experience in the region, People were surprised.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters earlier this week that it was an “open question” who was currently in charge of the situation in Syria.
But the rebel-led group that ousted President Bashar Assad is now designated as a terrorist organization in the United States, and President Trump is unsure whether their rise to power will be seen as a threat to U.S. national security and whether Assad There is new uncertainty about whether the administration will move to deploy U.S. troops. response.
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During an unannounced visit to Iraq's al-Asad Air Base in 2018, then-President Trump addressed U.S. soldiers. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)
The time is also ripe for other governments and adversaries to explore situations in which they could exploit the many power vacuums created by the fall of the Assad regime.
In the days after Assad fled Moscow, senior Biden administration officials told reporters that “we are not being presented with a blueprint for the future of Syria from the United States,'' and that the United States would only act in a supportive capacity. emphasized.
“This was written by Syrians. Assad's fall was brought about by Syrians,” a regime official said.
Still, the official added, “I think it's clear that the United States can lend a helping hand, and we are very prepared to do so.” It's unclear whether President Trump will view the situation the same way.
President Trump's first term
In October 2019, President Trump announced the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northeastern Syria, but this news drew harsh criticism from some diplomats and foreign policy analysts. They cited concerns that the decision could destabilize one of Syria's only remaining stable areas and invite further military injections. Instability and uncertainty sweep through the war-torn country.
But at that time, that part of the country was stable. American troops were stationed there, along with British and French troops, and worked with the Syrian Defense Forces to protect against a resurgence of Islamic State activity. However, the situation is different now, and the Trump campaign does not seem to be objecting to this.
Additionally, as he seeks to become president in 2024, Trump will continue the “America First” attitude that many believe helped him win the 2016 election, including border security, job creation, and U.S. He pledged to crack down on oil and gas production. Incoming Trump administration officials emphasized the degree to which they have worked with the Biden administration to ensure a smooth transition on geopolitical issues.
Rebel fighters stand near the Iranian embassy after Syrian rebels announced they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria. (Reuters/Firas Makdesi)
Unlike the first White House transition, President Trump's preparations for his second term have been surprisingly thorough, efficient, and policy-oriented. This includes announcing the nominations of most ministers and diplomats and releasing a policy blueprint for how the administration plans to govern for the next four years.
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“For our adversaries who think this is an opportunity to contest one administration over the other, they are wrong,” said Congressman Mike Walz, Trump's nominee for national security adviser. We are … working closely together.” The Florida Republican reporter told Fox News in an interview after Trump's election in November. “We are one team with the United States in this period of transition.”
