Summary of NPR Politics Podcast Episode: "Why Are U.S. Troops In Syria?"

Release Date: December 10, 2024
Host/Authors: Hannah, Greg Myhre, Mara Liasson
Duration: Approximately 17 minutes

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode begins with Hannah McCammon setting the stage for a critical discussion on the recent developments in Syria and their implications for U.S. foreign policy amidst an impending presidential transition.

2. The Overthrow of Bashar al-Assad

Timestamp: [01:00]

• Greg Myhre details the surprising deposition of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, highlighting the longevity of the Assad family's rule—spanning over five decades starting with Hafez Assad. "More than 50 years of this brutally repressive regime has just collapsed overnight," he states ([02:00]).

• The rapid fall of Assad's regime occurred within two weeks as the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured key cities, culminating in Assad fleeing to Russia. Greg emphasizes the sudden nature of authoritarian regime collapses: "They won't fall apart gradually. They will look like they're pretty stable, pretty steady, and then all of a sudden they just collapse overnight" ([02:50]).

3. Current Control Over Syria

Timestamp: [03:33]

• Mara Liasson inquires about the present governance of Syria. Greg Myhre explains that no single entity controls the entire nation. HTS, an Islamist group previously affiliated with Al Qaeda and still on the U.S. terrorist list, holds significant sway in Damascus and other major cities. However, other factions, including Kurdish groups supported by Turkey, also have substantial influence.

• Myhre notes the challenges ahead: "Can they work together? Can they cooperate, can they form a government and put Syria together again after more than a decade of a really horrific civil war?" ([04:00]).

4. The U.S. Role and Objectives in Syria

Timestamp: [05:01]

• Hannah prompts a discussion on the U.S. involvement in Syria. Greg Myhre outlines the historical context, tracing back to the 2014 rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) and the subsequent U.S. military intervention aimed at combating the terrorist threat.

• As of the episode's date, approximately 900 American troops remain in northeastern Syria with the primary mission of preventing ISIS's resurgence. "President Biden says they will remain for now," Myhre confirms ([06:29]).

• The U.S. recently conducted a significant airstrike targeting 75 locations, purportedly ISIS training sites, reflecting ongoing efforts to mitigate threats amidst Syria's instability ([06:00]).

5. ISIS's Continued Threat in Syria

Timestamp: [08:17]

• Hannah references former President Trump's claim of ISIS's defeat in Syria, prompting Myhre to clarify the current status. While ISIS has been deeply degraded, remnants still exist and pose potential threats, especially in a fragmented Syria. "They have camps. They're not large as they were. They've been deeply degraded by the US Fighting... But they are there" ([08:29]).

6. Potential Shifts in U.S. Policy Under Trump

Timestamp: [12:01]

• With the prospect of Donald Trump returning to office, Mara Liasson discusses potential changes in U.S. policy toward Syria. Trump's known isolationist stance suggests a possible withdrawal from U.S. involvement: "His first reaction to the overthrow of Assad was a tweet... that said the United States should have nothing to do with it" ([12:01]).

• However, geopolitical dynamics, such as Russia's weakened position due to the Ukraine conflict, might influence Trump to maintain some level of engagement. "A lot of people... are worried that he wants to stop it on Putin's terms" ([13:10]).

• Greg Myhre adds that Trump's desire to strengthen diplomatic ties, particularly through initiatives like the Abraham Accords, could clash with the current instability: "If he wants to do some of the diplomatic or economic things that he wants to do... he's not going to be able to do" ([14:14]).

7. The Case of Austin Tice

Timestamp: [14:50]

• The episode touches on the unresolved case of Austin Tice, an American journalist detained in Syria since 2012. Mara Liasson reports that U.S. intelligence maintains the assumption that Tice is alive, though his current status remains uncertain: "We have no information to the contrary, but they don't have any information about where he is or what his condition is" ([15:07]).

• Greg Myhre underscores the significance of this case for both administrations. Efforts to locate Tice continue, but recent developments, such as the mass release of prisoners from Syrian jails, have yet to yield concrete information about his whereabouts ([15:22]).

8. Implications for U.S. Administration Policies

Timestamp: [16:03]

• Discussing the broader impact, Greg Myhre emphasizes the complexities the next administration will face. Negotiating Syria's future while managing existing military and humanitarian obligations presents a formidable challenge: "The person who deals with hostages... is in Lebanon trying to see if there's anything more he can learn" ([16:03]).

9. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reinforcement of the multifaceted U.S. involvement in Syria, encompassing military, political, economic, and humanitarian dimensions. The impending shift in presidential leadership adds uncertainty to the future trajectory of American policy in the region.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Myhre on the sudden collapse of Assad's regime:
  "More than 50 years of this brutally repressive regime has just collapsed overnight." ([02:00])

• Greg Myhre on authoritarian regime stability:
  "They won't fall apart gradually. They will look like they're pretty stable, pretty steady, and then all of a sudden they just collapse overnight." ([02:50])

• Greg Myhre on ISIS's presence:
  "They have camps. They're not large as they were. They've been deeply degraded by the US Fighting... But they are there." ([08:29])

• Mara Liasson on Trump's potential policy:
  "His first reaction to the overthrow of Assad was a tweet... that said the United States should have nothing to do with it." ([12:01])

• Greg Myhre on the challenges of diplomacy under Trump:
  "If he wants to do some of the diplomatic or economic things that he wants to do... he's not going to be able to do." ([14:14])

• Mara Liasson on Austin Tice's status:
  "We have no information to the contrary, but they don't have any information about where he is or what his condition is." ([15:07])

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions from the NPR Politics Podcast episode, providing insights into the recent upheavals in Syria, the ongoing U.S. involvement, potential shifts under a new administration, and the lingering concerns surrounding American hostages.