Michelle Martin

forces entered Syria to fight the Islamic State a decade ago and defeated the group. About 900 U.S. troops remain in the country to prevent a resurgence. Now, President Biden said the U.S. would maintain this presence in Syria. He called Bashar al-Assad's ouster both a moment of risk and opportunity and said the U.S. will work with Syrians as they try to put together a new government.

forces entered Syria to fight the Islamic State a decade ago and defeated the group. About 900 U.S. troops remain in the country to prevent a resurgence. Now, President Biden said the U.S. would maintain this presence in Syria. He called Bashar al-Assad's ouster both a moment of risk and opportunity and said the U.S. will work with Syrians as they try to put together a new government.

forces entered Syria to fight the Islamic State a decade ago and defeated the group. About 900 U.S. troops remain in the country to prevent a resurgence. Now, President Biden said the U.S. would maintain this presence in Syria. He called Bashar al-Assad's ouster both a moment of risk and opportunity and said the U.S. will work with Syrians as they try to put together a new government.

That's right. This group, HTS, has been on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations for more than a decade. That means the U.S. can't work with them directly right now. But the group is sounding more moderate and they say they will work with all other Syrians. Now, Biden says the group is saying the right thing, but the U.S. will be closely watching their actions.

That's right. This group, HTS, has been on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations for more than a decade. That means the U.S. can't work with them directly right now. But the group is sounding more moderate and they say they will work with all other Syrians. Now, Biden says the group is saying the right thing, but the U.S. will be closely watching their actions.

That's right. This group, HTS, has been on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations for more than a decade. That means the U.S. can't work with them directly right now. But the group is sounding more moderate and they say they will work with all other Syrians. Now, Biden says the group is saying the right thing, but the U.S. will be closely watching their actions.

Yeah, Trump was on social media over the weekend. He said Syria is not a U.S. problem. The U.S. shouldn't get involved, should just let it play out. But that may be easier said than done because, as we've noted, the U.S. is already pretty deeply involved. And the U.S. troops there are not just fighting the Islamic State. They're also protecting civilians.

Yeah, Trump was on social media over the weekend. He said Syria is not a U.S. problem. The U.S. shouldn't get involved, should just let it play out. But that may be easier said than done because, as we've noted, the U.S. is already pretty deeply involved. And the U.S. troops there are not just fighting the Islamic State. They're also protecting civilians.

Yeah, Trump was on social media over the weekend. He said Syria is not a U.S. problem. The U.S. shouldn't get involved, should just let it play out. But that may be easier said than done because, as we've noted, the U.S. is already pretty deeply involved. And the U.S. troops there are not just fighting the Islamic State. They're also protecting civilians.

Muaz Mustafa is with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, an American aid group. He spoke about these displaced civilians in a barren area on Syria's southern border. He says they depend heavily on the U.S. military and have developed very close ties.

Muaz Mustafa is with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, an American aid group. He spoke about these displaced civilians in a barren area on Syria's southern border. He says they depend heavily on the U.S. military and have developed very close ties.

Muaz Mustafa is with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, an American aid group. He spoke about these displaced civilians in a barren area on Syria's southern border. He says they depend heavily on the U.S. military and have developed very close ties.

Well, this was really the latest in a series of major setbacks for both of them, and Iran in particular. Iran had close relations with Assad. It used Syria as a bridge to ship its weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. But now Assad is gone. Hezbollah has been devastated by its war with Israel. The same is true for another Iranian proxy, Hamas in Gaza.

Well, this was really the latest in a series of major setbacks for both of them, and Iran in particular. Iran had close relations with Assad. It used Syria as a bridge to ship its weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. But now Assad is gone. Hezbollah has been devastated by its war with Israel. The same is true for another Iranian proxy, Hamas in Gaza.

Well, this was really the latest in a series of major setbacks for both of them, and Iran in particular. Iran had close relations with Assad. It used Syria as a bridge to ship its weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. But now Assad is gone. Hezbollah has been devastated by its war with Israel. The same is true for another Iranian proxy, Hamas in Gaza.

I spoke with Ganul Tol with the Middle East Institute in Washington and asked her where this leaves Iran.

I spoke with Ganul Tol with the Middle East Institute in Washington and asked her where this leaves Iran.

I spoke with Ganul Tol with the Middle East Institute in Washington and asked her where this leaves Iran.

A huge loss for Russia as well. This was Russia's main partner in the region for decades, but Russia was preoccupied with the war in Ukraine. It carried out a few strikes in recent days, clearly was not able or willing to provide significant support.

A huge loss for Russia as well. This was Russia's main partner in the region for decades, but Russia was preoccupied with the war in Ukraine. It carried out a few strikes in recent days, clearly was not able or willing to provide significant support.