Trump’s gamble in normalizing relations with Syria in the face of Iran: ‘high-risk, high-reward’
Share this @internewscast.com

President Donald Trump recently announced a plan to normalize relations between the U.S. and Syria, lifting sanctions that have been in place for decades. He is also the first American president in 25 years to meet with Syria’s leader—a decision some interpret as an indirect challenge to Iran.

This was unexpected, especially given Trump’s earlier stance expressed in a post last December where he remarked, “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.”

This shift represents a strategic gamble that could enhance regional stability and U.S. interests by countering Iranian influence, as explained by Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Trump, Syrian President al-Sharaa, and Saudi crown prince

President Donald Trump, Syrian President al-Sharaa and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Reuters)

“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.

Iranian revolutionary guard members marching

FILE- Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade. The IRGC is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department. A large part of its work is to covertly operate outside of Iran. (Reuters.) (Reuters)

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. 

People celebrate in Damascus after fall of Assad regime

People wave guns in the air as they gather to celebrate the fall of the Syrian regime in Umayyad Square on Dec. 8 in Damascus, Syria.  (Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images)

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. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Bryan Kohberger says he was diagnosed with 4 mental disorders before guilty plea: report

Idaho Judge Describes Bryan Kohberger Crime Scene Photos as ‘Deeply Disturbing,’ Halts Their Public Release

A judge in Idaho has blocked the release of graphic images from…
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Search Underway for 2 Suspects After Line Street Shooting Incident

A man in his 20s was walking along Line Street when two…
RECAP: 'Golden Bachelor' women roast Mel for ageist comments during group date, Debbie gets 1-on-1 date

Summary: ‘Golden Bachelor’ women criticize Mel for ageist remarks on group date; Debbie receives a solo date

NEW YORK — The week kicked off at “Bachelor Mansion” where the…
Trump remains open to talks with Kim Jong Un as South Korea warns of North Korean missile reach

Trump Open to Dialogue with Kim Jong Un Amid South Korean Alerts About North Korean Missile Capabilities

President Donald Trump is willing to have discussions with North Korean leader…
Arrest made in hit-and-run crash that killed Jacksonville teen Genesis Webber

Suspect Arrested in Hit-and-Run Accident Resulting in Death of Jacksonville Teen, Genesis Webber

Andre Myers, 54, has been charged by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO)…
Manchester synagogue car and stabbing attack leaves at least 2 dead on Yom Kippur

Car and stabbing attack at Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur results in at least two fatalities

A brutal car and knife attack near a UK synagogue on Yom…
Israeli military arrests Greta Thunberg, flotilla activists after intercepting dozens of boats

The Israeli military detains Greta Thunberg and activists from a flotilla after stopping multiple boats.

Israeli naval forces intercepted 39 vessels from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on…
Flashback, 2020: Dem Candidates Unanimously Favor Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens

Looking Back to 2020: Democratic Candidates Support Free Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants

Notice how, now that the country is caught up in the Schumer…
Lydia Kaiser returns to school after Annunciation shooting

Lydia Kaiser Resumes School After Shooting Incident at Annunciation

Lydia Kaiser, 12, was shot while trying to protect a younger student.…
UK stabbing, vehicle attack injures 4 outside synagogue, police say

Four people injured in UK stabbing and vehicle assault near synagogue, police report

At least four people were injured Thursday morning in a car and…
Tennessee set to execute first woman in more than two centuries

Tennessee to Execute First Woman in Over 200 Years

Tennessee is set to execute a woman for the first time in…
Indonesia school collapse: Dozens of students missing in rubble after at least 6 killed, about 100 injured in Sidoarjo, East Java

Dozens of Students Missing in Indonesia School Collapse After East Java Incident Leaves Over 6 Dead, Nearly 100 Injured

SIDOARJO, Indonesia — On Wednesday, rescuers kept up their efforts to locate…