Two things just happened that are of great importance regarding the USA and Syria. First, the annual resolution at the UN general assembly got passed to condemn the Israeli "occupation" of the Golan Heights. This year, instead of the traditional American abstention, the US voted against the resolution. It's a symbolic change, but an important one. America made clear that it is siding with its ally and against the murderous, Iranian-backed Assad regime that now controls much of Syria. We picked the right side. Moreover, it is important to remember that Israel only occupies the Golan because it captured the territory after Syria attacked Israel in 1967. Territory captured in a defensive war is allowed, under international law, to be kept indefinitely. Were Syria to agree to peace with Israel, it might get the Golan back, but Syria will not consider a peace agreement. Israel has every right under international law to be in the Golan.
The second bit of news is more important. The administration made clear that US troops will remain in eastern Syria as part of an effort to stabilize the region to prevent the recurrence of ISIS domination in the region. The portion of Syria east of the Euphrates river is controlled today by the Kurds and by the Syrian Democratic forces. These are pro-US, anti-Assad and anti-Iran groups. Keeping the US forces in place will prevent Assad and Iran from retaking the area and will also bar Iran from having an easy land route for shipping weapons from Teheran to Damascus. There is no intention of having the troops engage in fighting; they will not be an attack force to be used to expand this area. The troops will be there, however, to deter any attacks by Assad or the Iranians.
Of all the moves that the US could undertake to disrupt the Iranian plans for regional hegemony, this is one of the most important.
The second bit of news is more important. The administration made clear that US troops will remain in eastern Syria as part of an effort to stabilize the region to prevent the recurrence of ISIS domination in the region. The portion of Syria east of the Euphrates river is controlled today by the Kurds and by the Syrian Democratic forces. These are pro-US, anti-Assad and anti-Iran groups. Keeping the US forces in place will prevent Assad and Iran from retaking the area and will also bar Iran from having an easy land route for shipping weapons from Teheran to Damascus. There is no intention of having the troops engage in fighting; they will not be an attack force to be used to expand this area. The troops will be there, however, to deter any attacks by Assad or the Iranians.
Of all the moves that the US could undertake to disrupt the Iranian plans for regional hegemony, this is one of the most important.
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