Latest news with #IranInfluence
Fox News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump's gamble in normalizing relations with Syria in the face of Iran: ‘high-risk, high-reward'
Print Close By Caitlin McFall Published May 26, 2025 President Donald Trump last week announced he would normalize U.S. relations with Syria by lifting decades-old sanctions, and he became the first American president to meet with the leader of the Middle Eastern nation in 25 years – a move that some have seen as an indirect hit on Iran. The news was a surprising shift from Trump's prior position in which he said in a December post that "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT." Trump's change of posture is a gamble that could see serious gains regarding regional stability and securing U.S. interests by deterring Iranian influence, explained Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran expert and senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. US AMBASSADOR BARRACK NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY TO SYRIA AMID SANCTIONS RELIEF PLAN "This is what I call a high-risk, high-reward gamble, but one that, if achieved successfully, can actually prevent Syria from being a launching pad for more Iranian malign activity," Ben Taleblu told Fox News Digital. "But if it fails, . . . Washington would have ended up empowering a jihadist government in Damascus [that] does not have full control over its own territory." The December collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime following the takeover by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, not only signified an end to a decades-long oppressive regime, it also effectively dismantled years of Iranian investment in a major setback to its regional influence. Trump emphasized that this sanctions relief, which he argued will give the country a chance to recover and was soon followed by an EU order to lift sanctions, is a move to encourage Syria to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel. But Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is also the leader of HTS, which is still a designated terrorist group under the U.S. and the UN, has not officially agreed to pursue diplomatic ties with Jerusalem – a push several Middle Eastern nations have flatly rejected amid its aggressive military operations in the Gaza Strip. Trump also emphasized that the new Syrian government needs to suppress the rise of Islamic extremist groups, which Ben Taleblu pointed out is going to be one of the nation's chief vulnerabilities as it looks to completely re-establish itself in the world order as trade, business and diplomacy have been reopened to Damascus. IRAN'S KHAMENEI LAUNCHES BLISTERING ATTACK ON TRUMP AFTER MIDDLE EAST VISIT "Tehran traditionally responds to these sorts of things with patience. The Islamic Republic has an ideological view of the way the region should be oriented, and has put time, money, resources, blood and treasure towards that," Ben Taleblu said. The Iran-expert explained that Tehran is waiting for the U.S. and Israel to loosen its pressure on the regime and its proxies, "and for Washington and Jerusalem to make mistakes in the region as they try to push towards bigger-picture things – like flipping Syria or regional peace and stability." "And it is there that in the interim, while Washington focuses up on building up states that Tehran will focus on building up proxies and partners," he added. Syria is not a united nation as conflict persists across the country between varying minority groups, former regime loyalists and terrorist organizations like ISIS. Secretary of State Macro Rubio also warned lawmakers on Tuesday that Syria could be just "weeks" away from a "potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions." These fractures pose a significant vulnerability for the new Syrian government. "Whenever there is a downtrodden or dispossessed person in a war zone or in a conflict zone, that is Tehran's angle of entry back into a conflict," Ben Taleblu said. "This has been Iran's strategy, sitting and waiting and looking to exploit opportunities across the entire northern tier of the Middle East, from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon. "Exploiting disarray is a specialty of the Islamic Republic," he warned. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The expert explained that if the Trump administration wants to ensure that Iran is unable to exploit vulnerable populations in Syria, then it will need to press Damascus to address the sweeping concerns facing various groups across the country. Though the president, and his constituents, notoriously opposed nation-building, which could spell trouble for the long-term security of Syria as it sits in Iran's shadow. "Tehran is going to be playing the long game. It's going to be running the clock when it comes to American and Israeli patience for what the future regional order could look like," Ben Taleblu warned. Print Close URL
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestinian faction chiefs quit Damascus amid pressure: faction sources
DAMASCUS: Two Palestinian sources told AFP Friday the leaders of pro-Iran Palestinian factions who were close to former Tehran-backed ruler Bashar Assad have left Syria under pressure from the new authorities. The factions, which enjoyed considerable freedom of movement under Assad, have also handed over their weapons, one of the sources said, amid US demands that Syria's new authorities take steps against Iran-backed Palestinian groups based in the country. A pro-Iran Palestinian factional leader who left after Assad's December ouster said on condition of anonymity that 'most of the Palestinian factional leadership that received support from Tehran has left Damascus,' while another still based there confirmed the development. 'The factions have fully handed over weapons in their headquarters or with their cadres' to the authorities, who also received 'lists of names of faction members possessing individual weapons' and demanded that those arms be handed over, the first added. A third Palestinian source from a small faction in Damascus confirmed the arms handover. Those who have left include Khaled Jibril, son of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) founder Ahmad Jibril, as well as Palestinian Popular Struggle Front secretary-general Khaled Abdel Majid and Fatah Al-Intifada secretary-general Ziad Al-Saghir. Washington, which considers several Palestinian factions to be 'terrorist' organizations, last week announced it was lifting sanctions on Syria after earlier saying Damascus needed to respond to demands including suppressing 'terrorism' and preventing 'Iran and its proxies from exploiting Syrian territory.' According to the White House, during a meeting in Saudi Arabia last week, US President Donald Trump gave new Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa a list of demands that included deporting 'Palestinian terrorists.' The first Palestinian factional leader said the chiefs joined up with groups from Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen that are also part of the Iran-backed 'Axis of Resistance' against Israel. A number of Iran-backed groups fought alongside Assad's forces after civil war erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Sharaa's Islamist group led the offensive that ousted Assad, a close ally of Iran, in December. The factions 'did not receive any official request from the authorities to leave Syrian territory' but instead faced restrictions and property confiscations, the first Palestinian factional leader said, noting that some factions 'were de facto prohibited from operating' or their members were arrested. The new authorities have seized property from 'private homes, offices, vehicles and military training camps in the Damascus countryside and other provinces,' he said. The Syrian authorities did not immediately provide comment to AFP when asked about the matter.
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Arab Summit returns to Baghdad as Iraq seeks to reassert regional role
Iraq will host the Arab Summit for the first time in more than a decade on Saturday, a symbolic moment for a country still struggling to emerge from decades of war, instability and diplomatic isolation. Iraqi officials hope the summit will mark a turning point for the country's regional standing and national pride. While the official agenda will focus on pressing regional issues, the choice of Baghdad as venue is seen as significant. 'Iraqi diplomacy has gained widespread trust among Arabs,' said Hussein Allawi, political adviser to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani. 'The Iraqi government is not satisfied with merely organising the Arab Summit but is pursuing a clear approach to proposing realistic solutions to the Arab crises, enhancing joint co-operation on various issues, and formulating a unified Arab resolution,' Mr Allawi added. Relations between Iraq and Arab countries were mostly uneasy after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. This ushered in a Shiite political ascendancy and an increase in Iranian influence over the country. To counter this, the US in 2007 began to press other Arab states to increase political engagement with Iraq. This led several countries reopening embassies that had been shut because of the poor security situation after 2003 or differences with the country's new government, as well as increased co-operation in a number of fields, a steady stream of visitors from Arab countries, and Baghdad being chosen to host the 2012 Arab Summit. 'The Arab Summit is crucial for Iraq as it demonstrates the country's commitment to the Arab League and its obligations towards Arab countries and that it believes in the joint Arab action,' said Ihsan Al Shammari, head of the Iraqi Political Thinking Centre in Baghdad. 'Certain factions in Iraq see the summit as a chance to shift perceptions that portray them as anti-Arab or opposed to Arab co-operation,' Mr Al Shammari added. The Arab leaders meeting in Baghdad is set to grapple with a host of crises that are testing the region's stability, including Israel's devastating war in Gaza and the continuing conflicts in Sudan and Libya, the tensions in Lebanon and Yemen, the new order in Syria, and broader security and economic challenges. Food and water security, youth unemployment and the impacts of the climate change will also be addressed. 'Our meeting today comes at a crucial stage in the history of the Arab nation,' Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told the preparatory ministerial meeting on Thursday. 'That requires us to accelerate our efforts, to strengthen bonds of co-operation, and to address crucial issues facing our present and future.' The foreign ministers approved five initiatives to be presented to the summit, Iraqi government spokesman Basim Al Awadi said. These are: establishing a joint Arab security co-operation room, three centres to fight terrorism, drugs and organised crime, as well as establishing a fund to support recovery and reconstruction after crises. Iraq is also preparing 18 initiatives to be introduced during the summit, which will be followed by two smaller meetings − one on economic development and the other between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt to discuss increased co-operation, Mr Al Awadi added. It was not clear on the eve of the summit which leaders would be attending. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara will not travel to Baghdad, according to Syrian state media, after an invitation from the Iraqi Prime Minister sparked protests over his past links to Al Qaeda. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived for the summit on Thursday night. The summit has already left its mark on Baghdad. Two new five-star hotels have opened their doors in time for the meeting, a rare show of foreign investment confidence in a city long shunned by global hospitality brands. The international airport has been refurbished with gleaming halls, modern lounges, and expanded arrival facilities. The heavily secured airport road, infamous for being one of the world's most dangerous routes during the height of the insurgency, has been completely overhauled, now lined with palm trees, lush gardens and illuminated fountains. For many Iraqis, the sight of foreign delegations arriving and the flags of Arab states lining the streets is stirring a sense of pride they have not felt in years. 'For me, this is not just a political summit," said Nazar Mohammed Hassan, a shop owner in Baghdad's upscale Mansour district. "It's Iraq's return to the Arab stage as a sovereign and stable nation 'For years we've been defined by war, divisions, and foreign influence. Now we are opening our doors to our Arab brothers as a confident, capable country.' Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Iraq's political stability is fragile, its economy heavily reliant on oil, and public trust in state institutions is low. 'I hope that Iraq can benefit from this gathering in bolstering relations and co-operation with Arab states in economy, mainly the Gulf states that have successful economic development experience,' Mr Hassan said.
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Britain's Damascus dilemma
The United States, to borrow a phrase, has no eternal allies or perpetual enemies. The sight of President Donald Trump locked in talks with Syrian leader and former al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed al-Sharaa today would have been shocking a year or so ago. Under Mr Trump, it barely raises eyebrows. Washington is lifting all sanctions on Syria in order to give the country what Mr Trump termed 'a chance at greatness', and perhaps more to the point a chance to serve as a new regional bulwark against Iranian influence. Such smiling photo ops with the head of a designated terrorist organisation are now the order of the day. Beyond the White House, there is still a great deal of unease at what may unfold in the near future. And in London, there is a vacuum where there should be a policy. While the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government was welcomed, there appears to be little principle guiding actions beyond 'wait and see', and occasional statements of concern over 'reports of attacks on minorities'. The aftermath of the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya – and indeed the population flows triggered by the Syrian civil war – should be an enduring reminder that Britain's interests in the region are served by stability rather than flux. Yet Mr Trump's embrace of Shaara would appear to be based on a potentially premature hope of normalisation rather than solid evidence, and it is notable that Israel retains serious concerns. Downing Street has largely remained on the fence, keeping most sanctions in place but calling on Israel to refrain from striking Syrian assets. It would be better advised to hope for the best, but prepare a strategy for the worst-case scenario.
