What's happened
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, his stance on Syria remains ambiguous. While he expresses a desire to avoid involvement, analysts suggest he may face pressure to address the ongoing crisis and the threat of ISIS resurgence. His administration's approach could mirror that of Biden's, focusing on limited military engagement.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Trump has indicated a desire to stay out of Syria, stating, 'This is not our fight. Let it play out.' However, Axios reports that national security officials may urge him to take the ISIS threat seriously, suggesting a potential shift in his isolationist stance. Michael Crowley from the New York Times highlights the complexities of engaging with new power dynamics in Syria, particularly with groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which could challenge Trump's previous hardline rhetoric. The contrasting views from these sources illustrate the uncertainty surrounding Trump's foreign policy direction as he prepares to take office.
How we got here
The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, has led to significant instability and the rise of extremist groups like ISIS. Trump's previous term saw a controversial military presence in Syria, and his recent comments indicate a potential shift in strategy as he prepares to assume the presidency again.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.