Washington between the hammer of the Syrian transformations and the anvil of the transfer of power policy
Washington is following with great interest the rapid developments in the Syrian arena, amidst unprecedented military and political transformations and a period of power transfer in the White House, and this raises questions about how it will deal with this confusing scene.
In its last episode, the “From Washington” program, which is broadcast on the “Al Jazeera 360” platform, reviewed the American position in light of the dramatic transformations on the Syrian scene, at a sensitive moment witnessing the transfer of power from President Joe Biden to President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.
The program explained that these developments come amid a confused Syrian scene that exploded without warning, transforming under the eyes of the outgoing US administration into a third war front in the Middle East region, at a time when a state of astonishment prevails in Washington regarding the movement of the armed Syrian opposition at this particular time.
The program also addressed the statements of the Pentagon spokesman, General Buck Ryder, in which he said: “The Ministry of Defense is not involved in the military operations in Aleppo, stressing that the operations are being led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is classified as a terrorist organization in America.” He added, “The Pentagon is ready to defend the forces.” American forces deployed in northeastern Syria.
The episode devoted a segment during which it hosted three Al Jazeera correspondents, where Al Jazeera’s Moscow bureau chief, Zaur Schug, said, analyzing the Russian position: “Russia does not deal with files from the logic of surprise, but rather from the logic of deals or conspiracies.”
Shog pointed out that Moscow intentionally neglects to mention Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stressing the presence of Russian dissatisfaction with his actions.
As for Tehran, Al Jazeera bureau director Abdul Qader Fayez believes that Iran is not dealing in the Syrian arena as a marginal party, noting that it presents itself as a major player.
He adds that Tehran views what is happening in Syria as not isolated from a regional push behind which Israel stands to reduce the Iranian role.
From Istanbul, Al Jazeera correspondent Amer Lafi explains that the scene is more complex than just Turkish control over the fighting groups.
He points out that although Ankara has influence in opposition-controlled areas, it does not have complete control over all the forces, especially Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is leading the current operations.
The program also addressed the statements of some American officials that carry political messages directed at the Syrian government and its allies, pointing to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s statement that the priority is to stop the escalation, protect civilians, and push towards a political path in accordance with Security Council resolutions, in addition to the National Security Advisor’s confirmation that “the forces The US is in Syria only to fight ISIS.”
