Trump and Israel Agree Stay Out of Syria’s Collapse

President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that the United States should steer clear of the unfolding chaos in Syria, as terrorist groups close in on Damascus. In a decisive statement over the weekend, Trump argued that America has no stake in Syria’s collapse and should let the conflict play out without intervention.

“Terrorist rebels are taking over numerous cities in an unprecedented, coordinated offensive,” Trump noted. “Syria is a mess, but it is not our friend. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT.”

The rapid collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government has sent shockwaves across the region. Rebel forces, primarily led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S., have seized major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. Now, Damascus is on the verge of falling.

The situation is exacerbated by Russia’s inability to reinforce Assad, as its resources are tied up in Ukraine. Reports indicate that Assad’s family has already fled to Russia, and Iran is withdrawing its military personnel from Syria. The loss of Assad’s regime is a blow to Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, but it also raises significant security concerns.

Israel has echoed Trump’s non-interventionist position, viewing both Assad’s regime and the rebels as threats. “The actors fighting Assad are his enemies [each other’s enemies],” said an Israeli official. “But they’re all also our enemies. Therefore, from Israel’s perspective, the best thing that can happen is that they both bleed each other.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been actively monitoring the situation, recently destroying a Syrian chemical weapons cache to prevent it from falling into terrorist hands. “The IDF will not allow a threat near the Syrian-Israeli border and will act to thwart any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement.

The power vacuum in Syria raises concerns about Islamist factions gaining control of advanced weaponry abandoned by Assad’s forces. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who has a $10 million bounty on his head, exemplifies the extremist threat poised to dominate the region. Joe Truzman of the Long War Journal warned, “The prospect of a Syrian state dominated by Islamist factions undoubtedly raises significant concerns in Israel and the surrounding region.”

The collapse of Assad’s regime is unfolding alongside other regional conflicts. Iran-backed Hamas launched a devastating terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, leading to a broader Middle Eastern war. Israel has decimated Hezbollah’s leadership and arsenal in Lebanon, dealing a severe blow to one of Assad’s key allies.

While Assad’s fall undermines Iran’s influence, the rise of jihadist groups in Syria creates new challenges for Israel and the broader region. Trump’s decision to let Syria’s internal conflict resolve itself reflects a cautious approach, but the implications of this power shift will ripple far beyond Damascus.

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