In a pivotal move, President Biden has announced a change in the U.S policy towards Syria. The focus has shifted to a more balanced approach, concentrating on re-establishing diplomatic relations with the government of President Bashar al-Assad while simultaneously continuing to fight against the Islamic State.
This decision marks a significant change from the previous stance, which had been predominantly anti-Assad. The move is seen as a strategic attempt to stabilize the region and to curb the influence of Iran and Russia in Syria. The policy change was unveiled in a statement where the administration stressed the importance of a "political solution" in Syria, which includes bringing all parties to the negotiation table.
While the decision drew criticism from some quarters, particularly from those who view Assad's government as a brutal regime, the Biden administration has defended its move. They argue that the absence of diplomatic relations has not contributed to the resolution of the Syrian crisis, which has been ongoing for more than a decade and has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis.
Despite the policy shift, the U.S. administration reiterated its commitment to fighting the Islamic State. As part of the new policy, the U.S. will continue its military operations against the terrorist group, particularly in the eastern parts of Syria where ISIS still holds sway.
The decision to re-establish diplomatic ties with the Assad regime does not mean the U.S. is endorsing the regime's actions. Instead, it is seen as a pragmatic move to facilitate dialogue and negotiations. It is based on a belief that the path to resolving the Syrian crisis involves engaging with all parties, including the Assad government.
The U.S. decision comes at a time when international attention is focused on Syria due to the increasing refugee crisis and the ongoing threat posed by ISIS. The move is seen as an important step towards finding a sustainable solution to the Syrian crisis and improving the situation for millions of Syrians who have been affected by the conflict.