AQABA, Jordan — On Thursday, high-ranking U.S. officials visited the Middle East to advocate for stability in Syria and a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, as the outgoing Biden administration makes a final diplomatic effort before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in a matter of weeks.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions in Jordan and Turkey, focusing on establishing a peaceful transition of leadership in Syria following the removal of long-standing President Bashar Assad. Meanwhile, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was in Israel attempting to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas militants.
Achieving a ceasefire would mark a significant last victory for President Joe Biden’s foreign policy efforts, particularly after a turbulent administration tenure that has struggled with a devastating war causing immense loss of life and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In the meantime, Trump has called for the immediate release of hostages, warning on social media of severe repercussions otherwise, and he has advised against U.S. involvement in Syria, which hosts roughly 900 American troops aimed at combating the Islamic State group.
Expressing cautious optimism while speaking with reporters in Tel Aviv, Sullivan noted that conditions might be ideal for halting the ongoing conflict prior to the inauguration of Trump on January 20. “I wouldn’t be here now if I didn’t think this thing was just waiting until after January 20,” he remarked.
The current war escalated following Hamas’s cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties, including around 1,200 deaths in Israel and approximately 250 individuals taken as hostages. Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 45,000 Palestinians, disproportionately impacting women and children and leading to widespread displacement and famine in the region.
Attempts at a U.S.-led ceasefire have continually faced obstacles, with both sides blaming each other for these breakdowns. Israel has expressed its aim to dismantle Hamas’s military and governing infrastructure, often proceeding with military actions despite U.S. calls for moderation. In contrast, Hamas remains firm in its demand for a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Sullivan indicated that the fluid political dynamics across the region have improved the chances for a successful agreement. He highlighted recent developments, including Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah, the compromising of Syria’s government structure, and the significant military setbacks faced by Hamas, which have all transformed the negotiation landscape.
Following his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sullivan remarked that the atmosphere surrounding negotiations has shifted positively. He added, “I got the sense from the prime minister that he’s ready to do the deal,” and noted observable movement from Hamas.
Sullivan is set to continue his diplomatic journey to Qatar and Egypt, both of which have acted as mediators throughout the conflict. Any potential agreement would likely involve the release of hostages held by Hamas, an exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, and an urgent increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel claims that Hamas is holding approximately 100 hostages, with fears that at least a third may have perished.
Meanwhile, while Sullivan engaged with Israeli officials, Blinken focused on fostering diplomatic discussions with Jordanian and Turkish leaders regarding a peaceful transition in post-Assad Syria. “We’re back in the region at a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors,” Blinken stated after discussions with King Abdullah II in Aqaba, Jordan.
He emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to collaborating with regional partners to support Syria’s transition away from Assad’s oppressive regime toward a more inclusive government that does not cater to any single faction or foreign power.
The Syrian landscape is rife with competing armed groups, including U.S.-supported Kurdish factions fighting against Turkish-backed militants and remaining threats from the Islamic State group that continue to concern U.S. interests. Additionally, there is a significant challenge for predominantly Sunni rebels who seek to establish a transitional government in a nation ravaged by civil strife and sectarian conflict for over 13 years.
The leader of Syria’s largest rebel faction has connections to al-Qaida, complicating the situation further as this hardline Sunni Islamist group has been designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the U.N.
Blinken’s journey began in Jordan, a close ally of the U.S. that has faced economic strains due to the influx of Syrian refugees. He then traveled to Turkey, a supporter of Sunni rebels but hostile towards Kurdish groups. In late-night talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Blinken underscored the importance of continuing efforts against the Islamic State group, urging restraint to avoid military actions against Kurdish rebels critical to those operations.
As for developments on the Israeli front, Israel has deployed troops into Syria and reoccupied a demilitarized buffer zone established by a 1974 truce. Israeli officials describe this as a defensive measure aimed at safeguarding their border and preventing armed factions from acquiring abandoned weapons from Assad’s forces.
While Netanyahu indicated that Israel’s military presence in Syria is temporary, he acknowledged that troops would remain until another power is able to secure the border. This opens the possibility of a prolonged Israeli military presence in the area.
In earlier statements, Sullivan aimed to mitigate concerns around Israel’s recent military actions, noting the consequences of the recent regime change in Syria and advising caution before drawing conclusions. However, Blinken took a more measured approach, calling for restraint among all regional players involved in Syria, emphasizing the importance of not provoking any further conflicts.
