Why JD Vance Agrees With Trump’s Approach To Syrian Crisis

explosion in part of Syria

Amid escalating tensions in Syria, JD Vance aligns with Trump’s decision to avoid U.S. intervention.

At a Glance

  • Trump asserts the U.S. should not get involved in Syria, reinforcing “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT”.
  • JD Vance supports Trump’s non-intervention stance as the Syrian rebels advance.
  • Assad reportedly seeks refuge in Russia as his regime collapses.
  • The Biden administration shares a similar approach to Trump regarding non-involvement.

U.S. Stays Out of Syrian Conflict

President-elect Donald Trump announced through social media that the U.S. military would not engage in the Syrian conflict, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” The decision echoes JD Vance’s support for non-involvement in Syria. Trump’s stance aligns with the Biden administration, as expressed by Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser, emphasizing that America would not dive into the Syrian civil war.

Syrian rebels, led by Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), have made significant strides, reportedly taking control of Damascus and causing President Bashar al-Assad to leave the country. Assad, whose regime’s collapse seems imminent, might be seeking asylum in Russia, as Russia’s current military focus in Ukraine limits its intervention in Syria.

JD Vance’s Support for Non-Involvement

The Vice President-elect, JD Vance, has openly backed Trump’s decision to refrain from military involvement in Syria. Vance expressed concerns about the implications of celebrating the rebels’ advancements, recalling previous consequences such as the mass slaughter of Christians and the refugee crisis. Vance noted skepticism in fully trusting the rebels, some of whom he suggested might have connections to extremist groups like ISIS.

“Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” wrote Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.

As HTS controls Damascus, their past connections to Al-Qaeda remain a point of contention. Despite rebranding attempts, JD Vance has highlighted the need for caution, stressing the complexity of the situation in Syria. He warned against overly optimistic celebrations, mindful of the regional stability challenges following such a power shift.

Rebels Celebrate Assad’s Downfall

Rebels marked Assad’s ousting by dismantling his posters and statues, signifying the end of the Assad family’s 50-year rule. While the rebellion’s victory may be seen as a liberation from tyranny, the future remains uncertain. Reports suggest that Assad might have sought asylum in Russia, and with the backing of Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah weakened, the shifts in power could reshape the region.

“No one has the right to erase another group. These sects have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years, and no one has the right to eliminate them,” said Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of HTS.

Trump’s defense transition chief, Robert Wilkie, indicated that the fall of Assad’s regime could diminish Iran’s influence. How these changes will shape Syria’s future and affect global geopolitics remains to be seen, but both Trump and the Biden administration agree on one aspect: the United States should remain uninvolved.

Sources:

  1. https://apnews.com/article/trump-syria-biden-administration-rebels-assad-72015f143aa6b40bb62c09724c71e34f
  2. https://thehill.com/policy/international/5028907-jd-vance-backs-trump-syria/
  3. https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-issues-warning-about-syrian-rebels-after-assad-ousted-nervous-1997306
  4. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/12/08/jd-vance-echoes-trumps-stance-staying-out-syria-not-our-fight/