Simultaneously, with recent developments in Syria and the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government through armed operations by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other armed rebels, the actions and behaviors of the key players in this crisis have come under more scrutiny and analysis than ever before.
While US policies, as a significant influencer in the Syria developments, have consistently been guided by the principle of ensuring security for the Zionist regime, Washington's reactions to the Syrian crisis, especially in the past two weeks and its stance on terrorism, are highly significant and, indeed, indefensible. The official position announced by the US at the peak of the crisis in Syria, for various reasons, highlights the contradictions and long-term strategic goals that the country pursues to increase its influence in the region and secure the Israeli regime.
Definition of Terrorism Variable
A prominent example of this contradiction in the US approach is seen in its stance toward Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra). This group has been on the US list of terrorist organizations for years, and the country has set a $10 million reward for the capture of Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Tahrir al-Sham. Despite this, and even as the US formally reiterated the terrorist nature of Tahrir al-Sham during the peak of the crisis in Syria, US media outlets, particularly CNN, have introduced the group differently to the public due to recent developments and to achieve specific goals.
Such actions have created the impression that the US, as in the past, intends to adopt a different approach in dealing with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham by applying double standards.
In the past, there have been instances where the United States and its allies have redefined and labeled armed groups based on their geopolitical interests, introducing them as "terrorists," "legitimate rebels," or even "political allies."
Laying new groundwork for pursuing US double standards on terrorism
While Washington expresses concern over the growth of terrorism and the humanitarian disaster in Syria, it has taken no action during the past two weeks, despite intense conflicts between groups on its terrorist list and the Syrian army. Instead, it has preferred to remain a mere observer of the developments. The United States has repeatedly used various terrorist groups as a lever to achieve its own objectives, either through implicit support or by turning a blind eye to their actions.
Notably, following CNN's controversial interview with Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, The Washington Post cited a senior US government official as saying yesterday that it is not out of the question for the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to be removed from the terrorist list.
Connection between recent developments in Syria and security of Zionist regime
Regardless of the official stances taken by the United States on the current developments in Syria, two important points stand out: The continued military presence of the US in Syria without any concern for the escalation of conflicts and the expansion of the presence and role of armed groups that the US itself labels as terrorists. Additionally, the extensive and broad military actions of the Zionist regime aimed at dismantling Syrian military infrastructure indicate that the US cannot be viewed as a passive player in recent events.
The developments of the past few days show that the collapse of the Assad government, which could lead to the fragmentation of Syria and increased instability in the country, aligns closely with US goals due to the opportunities it creates for the Zionist regime to consolidate its position in the region and weaken the resistance axis.
Necessity of regional convergence
In such circumstances, the only viable solution to counter the overt and covert scenarios of extraregional powers is to create unity and convergence among regional countries. Neglecting this can place unpredictable conditions before regional stakeholders. Iran, Turkey, Russia, and other regional players can, through joint cooperation, establish a mechanism to ensure security and stability in Syria, thereby preventing the realization of disintegrationist and hegemonic plans in the region and curbing the spread of instability and insecurity in Syria.
Lessons from past
The bitter experiences of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Sudan have shown that reliance on the promises of extraregional powers is not only not a solution to crises but also a cause of deeper instability. Syria is no exception to this rule.
Regional countries must, with a deep understanding of the risks that ignoring the sensitive conditions in Syria can entail, move beyond the circle of short-term gains and focus on strengthening regional cooperation. Only through this approach can the stability of Syria and the security of the region be ensured, and the destructive plans of extraregional powers and the Zionist regime be thwarted. The scenario of Syria's fragmentation and the destabilization of the entire region is a threat to all regional players and must be prevented with wisdom and unity.
NOURNEWS