PNN – In an analysis, Foreign Affairs, referring to the more than decade-long presence of the United States in Syria, emphasized that America’s interests will henceforth be served not by its presence in the country, but by its withdrawal from it and greater engagement with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the new transitional government in Damascus.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network from this analytical media outlet, among the uncertainties facing Syria is the future of US involvement in the country, an issue that seems very important given the US presence since 2014 and its support for a de facto autonomous government in northeastern Syria.
Claiming that the US’s goal in being present in Syria and supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was to fight and destroy ISIS, the analysis wrote: The United States has about 2,000 troops and contractors in 12 operational posts and small bases in eastern Syria to support the Syrian Democratic Forces’ efforts to suppress ISIS and prevent Turkish attacks.
Foreign Affairs, acknowledging the failure to achieve America’s alleged goal in Syria, namely defeating ISIS, emphasized: Despite this support, ISIS is still active in Syria.
The analysis went on to point to the fall of the Assad regime, introducing the new transitional government in Syria as a “more influential and effective partner” of the United States, claiming: Further cooperation, direct or indirect, with this fledgling government could strengthen regional security.
According to this analysis, US President Donald Trump should open a channel with the government led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and discuss important issues, including how to exchange information between the US and Syria.
Part of this analysis, while reiterating the claim that the US’s purpose in being present in Syria is to fight ISIS, states: Washington should reduce sanctions against the country in order to help the Damascus government establish stability in Syria and successfully fight ISIS. If the Trump administration is unwilling to lift all sanctions on Syria, it could at least start by granting a one-year, renewable waiver for sanctions affecting the financial, construction and engineering, health, education, transportation, and agriculture sectors. Such measures would not require a cost to the U.S. Treasury. Regional and other donor countries would help Syria. But secondary U.S. sanctions should not deter these donors and private investors.
Foreign Affairs considered the US proposal to cooperate with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham organization, which Washington has declared a terrorist group, strange and noteworthy, and emphasized that currently, America’s interests and goals in Syria are being met by cooperating with the transitional government in Damascus.