Syria's Future Threatens U.S. Security

A masked opposition fighter carries a flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in the old walled city of Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. HTS is the largest

As the Assad regime collapsed in Syria, rebel forces swiftly took control of key cities, including Aleppo and Damascus. President-elect Donald J. Trump's recent stance of non-involvement in Syria reflects a desire to avoid foreign conflicts and focus on domestic issues.

However, the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist organization now governing Syria, poses a significant threat. HTS, a former Al Qaeda affiliate with ties to ISIS, is led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a radical militant with a history of violence.

Al-Golani's call for the delisting of HTS as a terrorist group is concerning, given the group's extremist ideology and past atrocities. Reports of repressive measures, such as the removal of Christmas decorations and enforced veiling of women, raise alarms about the future of Syria under HTS rule.

HTS, a terrorist group led by al-Golani, now governs Syria.

Rebel forces control key Syrian cities post-Assad regime collapse.

Al-Golani seeks delisting of HTS as a terrorist group.

President Trump faces a dilemma in dealing with Syria to prevent it from becoming a terrorist state akin to Afghanistan. Turkey's support for HTS complicates the situation, as President Erdogan aims to assert Turkish dominance in the region.

America's influence in the Middle East has waned, and finding a solution to the Syrian crisis without violating Trump's anti-foreign wars pledge is challenging. The risk of a terrorist state emerging in Syria underlines the complexity of the situation and the need for strategic intervention.