Syrian Dictator Assad Pleads for US Help as Rebels Close In on Damascus

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is now facing the most dire moment of his reign. With terrorist rebels encircling Damascus, his grip on power is crumbling. In a desperate bid to survive, Assad is reportedly reaching out to the West, even to President-elect Donald Trump, offering concessions in exchange for assistance.

Reports indicate that Assad is willing to sever ties with Iran-backed militant groups, including Hezbollah, if Western powers step in to halt the rebellion. According to sources cited by Bloomberg News, Assad has been making these overtures through intermediaries, including the United Arab Emirates and Hungary, in hopes of securing either continued rule or safe passage into exile.

• Cut ties with Iran and Hezbollah if the West halts the rebellion.

• Warned of an "existential threat" to Syria’s Christian minority should Islamist rebels take over, leveraging this message through Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally.

Assad has ordered his remaining forces an estimated 40,000 troops to retreat and fortify Damascus, the nation’s capital. Meanwhile, the rebels have made swift gains, capturing Aleppo, Hama, and Homs in a week-long campaign that now threatens Assad’s seat of power.

Donald Trump, speaking on the matter, made it clear that his administration intends to steer clear of the conflict. "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT," he stated. Trump emphasized that America should allow these factions to battle it out among themselves, leaving Russia and Iran, Assad’s longtime backers, to deal with the consequences.

Trump also pointed out the precarious position of Russia, noting their entanglement in Ukraine and heavy losses, reportedly exceeding 600,000 troops. "Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria," he said. Trump laid the blame for Syria's instability at the feet of former President Obama, citing the infamous failure to enforce the "red line" in 2013 as a critical turning point.

Assad’s collapse could spell a major shift in the region’s balance of power. While his regime is no ally to the United States, the alternative a takeover by extremist rebels raises questions about the future stability of Syria and its impact on global security.

As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the Middle East is on the brink of another seismic shift, and the United States is choosing to watch from the sidelines. Whether this approach will pay off remains to be seen.

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