President Joe Biden’s current approach to the evolving situation in Syria is drawing significant criticism, particularly from those who value assertive American leadership and strategic foresight. As the once formidable Assad regime diminishes, a power vacuum threatens to reshape Syria’s geopolitical landscape, and Biden appears to be missing a critical opportunity to assert American interests.
Bashar al-Assad’s rule has been marred by atrocities, including mass starvation and chemical attacks on civilians. His alliance with Iran facilitated the movement of weaponry across the Middle East and provided Russia with a strategic foothold by allowing military bases in Syria. This alliance has granted Moscow undue influence and amplified threats to U.S. allies such as Israel and NATO.
In post-Assad Syria, the Islamist rebels of the HTS group under Abu Mohammad al-Jolani have taken control. While Jolani’s group began as an Al-Qaeda affiliate, he’s attempted to present a more moderate face to the international community. Nonetheless, the situation remains tenuous. Other nations, particularly Turkey, are already maneuvering to establish their interests in Syria, while the Biden administration remains noticeably inactive, save for minimal social media statements and indecision about potential dialogues with Jolani.
Russia stands poised to solidify its gains in Syria, potentially striking a deal with the new leadership to maintain access to critical military bases at Tartus and Khmeimim. These bases are pivotal for Russia’s power projection across regions critical to American and allied interests. Given Russia’s past brutal actions against Syrian civilians and its repeated targeting of civilian infrastructure, it seems logical that Syria’s new leadership should reject overtures from Moscow. Biden, however, seems to lack the resolve or strategy to leverage this history to recalibrate Russia’s influence and strengthen U.S. strategic positioning in the region.
Moreover, Biden’s apparent reluctance to robustly support U.S. Kurdish and Sunni-Arab allies risks undermining the hard-won stability they bring to northern Syria. These partners were instrumental in the fight against ISIS and act as a bulwark against further Iranian and jihadist advancements. However, Turkish aggression under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues unchecked, with Ankara striking Kurdish positions despite previous ceasefire agreements. Erdogan’s actions, which are bolstered by a perception of American inaction, further destabilize U.S. interests and allies in the region.
Economic leverage, such as sanctions or tariffs, could be a powerful tool to influence Turkey—a nation already mired in economic difficulties—towards more favorable behavior regarding its Kurdish adversaries and Russian collaborations. However, Biden’s administration hesitates to utilize these resources, risking further erosion of U.S. influence in Syria’s future.
What is required now is clear-eyed leadership that acknowledges the moral and strategic imperatives in Syria. By capitalizing on the current moment, America could effectively counter Moscow’s influence while reaffirming commitments to regional partners who have proven their worth. Instead, there is a discernible void in American leadership as Biden’s administration seems to drift without decisive action. The implications of this inertia, both in Syria and beyond, could reshape global perceptions of U.S. strength and reliability. As the world watches, the absence of proactive American engagement threatens to leave a lasting impact on global dynamics.
