Trump opens strategic gamble against Iran by normalizing ties with Syria
President Donald Trump made a surprising announcement last week that he would normalize U.S. relations with Syria by lifting decades-old sanctions. This decision marked a significant shift in Trump’s prior stance, in which he had previously stated that the U.S. should have nothing to do with Syria. The move also made Trump the first American president to meet with the leader of Syria in 25 years, a decision that some view as a strategic move against Iran.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert and senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explained that Trump’s decision is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. By normalizing relations with Syria, the U.S. aims to deter Iranian influence in the region and promote regional stability. However, Taleblu also warned that if this gamble fails, it could empower extremist groups and destabilize the region further.
The collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December, followed by the takeover of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, dealt a significant blow to Iranian influence in Syria. Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria is seen as a move to encourage the country to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel. However, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who leads HTS, has not yet agreed to pursue diplomatic ties with Jerusalem.
Trump emphasized the need for the new Syrian government to suppress the rise of Islamic extremist groups. As Syria works to re-establish itself in the world order, it faces vulnerabilities such as ongoing conflicts between minority groups, former regime loyalists, and terrorist organizations like ISIS. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Syria could be on the brink of a full-scale civil war.
Tehran, Iran, is closely monitoring the situation in Syria and is waiting for the U.S. and Israel to make mistakes as they push for regional peace and stability. Iran’s strategy involves exploiting opportunities in conflict zones to advance its interests. To prevent Iran from exploiting vulnerable populations in Syria, the Trump administration must address the concerns facing various groups across the country.
Despite Trump’s opposition to nation-building, ensuring the long-term security of Syria is crucial to preventing Iran from exerting its influence in the region. Tehran is playing the long game and will continue to exploit opportunities in the Middle East to further its agenda. As the situation in Syria remains volatile, it is essential for the U.S. to carefully navigate its relationship with the country to prevent further conflict and instability in the region.
