As the political landscape in Syria shifts with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan embark on a diplomatic mission to address the implications for regional stability and governance.
Biden Administration Responds to Strategic Shift in Syria Following Assad's Fall
Biden Administration Responds to Strategic Shift in Syria Following Assad's Fall
U.S. top officials head to Middle East to navigate new governance landscape amid militia power surge in Syria.
Dec. 11, 2024, 4:04 p.m. ET
In a swift response to recent turmoil in Syria, President Biden's senior national security team has taken to the Middle East to address the dramatic power shift following Bashar al-Assad's fall to militias. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Jordan and Turkey, while National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet officials in Israel, U.S. officials confirmed.
Their agenda is heavily focused on discussing the future governance of Syria, which is becoming increasingly critical given the changing power dynamics. Sullivan is slated to spend several days in Israel, initiating official meetings starting Thursday. According to Sean Savett, a National Security Council spokesman, Sullivan's discussions will encompass not just the situation in Syria, but also ongoing efforts to broker a hostage release and a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, as well as strategies concerning Lebanon and Iran.
Both President Biden and President-elect Donald J. Trump have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas—a conflict that escalated dramatically after Hamas and other militant groups launched a series of attacks on Israel in October 2023, claiming the lives of around 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians. In retaliatory airstrikes, the Israeli military has extensively ravaged Gaza, leading to an estimated death toll of 43,000 Palestinians, both civilians and combatants, according to reports from Gaza's health ministry.
As these high-level meetings unfold, the Biden administration faces growing pressure to develop a coherent strategy that addresses the multifaceted crises in the region, balancing military, humanitarian, and diplomatic aspects in the wake of a changing Middle Eastern landscape.
In a swift response to recent turmoil in Syria, President Biden's senior national security team has taken to the Middle East to address the dramatic power shift following Bashar al-Assad's fall to militias. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Jordan and Turkey, while National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet officials in Israel, U.S. officials confirmed.
Their agenda is heavily focused on discussing the future governance of Syria, which is becoming increasingly critical given the changing power dynamics. Sullivan is slated to spend several days in Israel, initiating official meetings starting Thursday. According to Sean Savett, a National Security Council spokesman, Sullivan's discussions will encompass not just the situation in Syria, but also ongoing efforts to broker a hostage release and a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, as well as strategies concerning Lebanon and Iran.
Both President Biden and President-elect Donald J. Trump have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas—a conflict that escalated dramatically after Hamas and other militant groups launched a series of attacks on Israel in October 2023, claiming the lives of around 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians. In retaliatory airstrikes, the Israeli military has extensively ravaged Gaza, leading to an estimated death toll of 43,000 Palestinians, both civilians and combatants, according to reports from Gaza's health ministry.
As these high-level meetings unfold, the Biden administration faces growing pressure to develop a coherent strategy that addresses the multifaceted crises in the region, balancing military, humanitarian, and diplomatic aspects in the wake of a changing Middle Eastern landscape.
