Assad's Reign In Syria Is Over, U.S. Strikes ISIS Targets, Trump Gives TV Interview

Summary

Up First from NPR – December 9, 2024

Hosts: Leila Fadel, Michelle Martin, and Greg Myhre

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1. The Fall of Bashar al-Assad's Regime in Syria

Overview: After 54 years of authoritarian rule, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia amidst a significant rebel advance into Damascus. This marks the end of Assad's brutal reign and ushers in a new era for Syria, filled with uncertainty and hope.

Key Points:

• Regime Collapse: Assad’s departure follows an 11-day rebel offensive that swiftly dismantled his regime, which had held power since 1970. The rebel forces were led by an Islamist group still designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. (00:07).

• Syrian Reactions: The Syrian populace is experiencing a mix of jubilation and disbelief. Celebrations have erupted across the country, reflecting relief after over a decade of devastating civil war. However, there are also signs of looting and the discovery of the Assad family's opulent lifestyle juxtaposed against the widespread poverty endured by Syrians (02:17, 04:19).

• Prisoner Liberation: Scenes of prisoners being freed from Sednaya prison, notorious for torture and mass executions, highlight the regime's collapse. Over 100,000 detainees remain unaccounted for, with families desperately searching for their loved ones (04:32).

• Austin Tice’s Fate: Among the detainees is Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing for 12 years. President Biden expressed hope that Tice is alive and urged Syrians to assist in his return (05:32).

Notable Quotes:

• Ruth Sherlock: "People are dazed and incredulous... The regime collapsed in the space of just over a week." (03:02)

• Ruth Sherlock: "You have to send them all back." – Referring to mixed-status families and the potential for widespread deportations (12:26)

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2. U.S. Airstrikes Targeting ISIS in Syria

Overview: In response to the power vacuum created by Assad’s ouster, the United States has conducted significant airstrikes against ISIS targets in central Syria. These operations aim to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and stabilize the region.

Key Points:

• Airstrike Details: The U.S. military executed a large-scale airstrike hitting approximately 75 ISIS targets. This move addresses the gathering of ISIS fighters who might exploit the current turmoil (06:27).

• Continued U.S. Presence: Around 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria to monitor and counter any ISIS resurgence. President Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining this presence to support Syrian efforts in forming a new government (06:10).

• Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): Although HTS, the de facto governing group in Syria, remains on the U.S. terrorist list, indications suggest they may adopt a more moderate stance. Biden acknowledged this shift but stressed that the U.S. would vigilantly monitor HTS’s actions (07:11).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Myhre: "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum." (00:28)

• Greg Myhre: "The US says it hit some 75 targets..." (06:27)

• Ruth Sherlock: "Losing Syria will deal a huge blow to Iran and its proxies in the region." (09:10)

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3. President Elect Donald Trump’s First Network TV Interview

Overview: President-elect Donald Trump sat down for his first network television interview since winning the election. Addressing his vision for the second term, Trump outlined his policy priorities and hinted at his approach to governance.

Key Points:

• Policy Priorities: Trump emphasized immigration reform, focusing on securing the border and implementing what he terms "groceries." He also lauded the effectiveness of tariffs in boosting the economy and declared his intent to maintain access to abortion pills (10:03, 10:16).

• Unity and Success: While advocating for national success as a form of retribution, Trump conveyed a message of unity, suggesting that the country’s prosperity would naturally lead to societal harmony (10:38, 11:02).

• Controversial Statements: Trump made ambiguous remarks regarding the January 6th committee, expressing a desire for retribution through success but also implying harsh consequences for committee members, though specifics were unclear (11:21, 11:53).

• Immigration Stance: He proposed legislative solutions for Dreamers and expressed a contentious view on birthright citizenship, acknowledging that changing it would require a constitutional amendment. Additionally, Trump suggested the deportation of criminals initially, with potential expansion to broader groups, raising concerns about family separations (12:20).

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump: "I'm looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success." (11:02)

• Greg Myhre: "I think everybody on the... Anybody that voted in favor of." (11:43)

• Tamara Keith: "It's not entirely clear what he thinks they should go to jail for." (11:56)

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4. Geopolitical Implications for Iran and Russia

Overview: The downfall of Assad has significant ramifications for key regional players like Iran and Russia, both of which have been staunch allies of the Assad regime.

Key Points:

• Iran’s Loss: Iran’s strategic use of Syria as a conduit for weapons to Hezbollah and its broader regional influence will be severely impacted. The collapse of the Assad regime weakens Iran’s proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, leading to increased anxiety within Tehran (08:26, 09:10).

• Russia’s Setback: Russia, traditionally a principal supporter of Assad, has also suffered a major loss of influence in Syria. Preoccupied with the war in Ukraine, Russia was unable to provide significant support during the regime’s collapse, marking a diminishment of its regional power (09:24, 09:26).

Notable Quotes:

• Ruth Sherlock: "Losing Syria will deal a huge blow to Iran and its proxies in the region." (09:10)

• Greg Myhre: "They are still designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. aren’t they?" (07:11)

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Conclusion

This episode of Up First from NPR delves into the seismic shifts occurring in Syria with the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, the United States' strategic responses to maintain regional stability, and President-elect Donald Trump’s articulated plans for his forthcoming administration. The intertwined geopolitical consequences affecting Iran and Russia further underscore the complexity and far-reaching impact of these developments.

Produced by: Ziad Butch, Katie Klein, and Ben Abrams
Edited by: James Hyder, Andrew Sussman, Roberta Rampton, H.J. Mai, and Alice Wolfley
Technical Direction: Carly Strange

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Notable Time-Stamps:

• 00:03 - 00:15: Introduction to Assad’s regime collapse
• 02:17 - 05:57: On-the-ground reactions in Syria
• 06:10 - 09:41: U.S. airstrikes and geopolitical implications
• 09:52 - 13:17: Trump’s interview and policy positions

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For more insights and daily updates, subscribe to NPR’s Up First and support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Leila Fadel]

After 54 years, the Assad's brutal reign in Syria is over.

[Michelle Martin]

Bashar al Assad fled to Russia with his family as rebel forces swept into Damascus and Syrians emerged into a new reality. What kind of Syria is born in this moment?

[Leila Fadel]

I'm Leila Fadel. That's Michelle Martin. And this is up first from NPR News. President Biden called the fall of the Assad regime a moment of historic opportunity, but he also warned of the potential risks.

[Greg Myhre]

Were clear eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum.

[Leila Fadel]

With the Trump administration coming in, how will he approach a new Syria?

[Michelle Martin]

Trump also gave his first network TV interview since winning the election.

[Greg Myhre]

I'm looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success.

[Michelle Martin]

What did we learn about his approach for his second term? Stay with us. We'll tell you what you need to know to start your day.

[Ron Rudzen]

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[Leila Fadel]

Up this morning to their first day in decades without the Assad regime ruling their lives.

[Michelle Martin]

The Assad family came to power in 1970, when Richard Nixon was still in the early days of his first term as US President. On Sunday, Russia confirmed that President Bashar al Assad had fled to Moscow. While in Damascus, the capital, the rebels who seized control were led by an Islamist group still designated by the US As a terrorist organization.

[Leila Fadel]

Here to tell us what Syrians are making of this stunning new reality. Without Assad's brutal grip on power. We are joined from Beirut by NPR's Ruth Sherlock. Good morning, Ruth.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Good morning.

[Leila Fadel]

So, Ruth, an 11 day rebel push in Assad is gone after over a decade of civil war. It's hard to even believe what are we hearing from Syrians on their first day without the Assad regime in power.

[Ruth Sherlock]

People are dazed and incredulous. You know, there's celebrations across the country, like you said, you know, Leila, this regime was in power for over 50 years. And then there was 13 years of devastating civil war and the Assad family seemed to have won. Then it collapsed like a house of cards. The regime collapsed in the space of just over a week. So there are now major celebrations across the country, but also among them, millions of Syrian refugees, many of whom now want to return. NPR producer in Lebanon, Jawad Risallah went to Arsal, that's a town on the border with Syria where families have lived in tents for years. He asked a refugee there, Mahmoud Satouf, to describe what was happening.

[Leila Fadel]

Now we are hearing the celebrations of the people.

[Tamara Keith]

They are dreaming that now they are free, like they're their home country is free.

[Leila Fadel]

You can hear the happiness in their voices.

[Ruth Sherlock]

And you know, in Damascus, there's been celebrations, also some looting. But also Syrians are accessing places they've never been before, like Assad's family palace. This war plunged people into extreme poverty. Now you're seeing the opulence in which the Assad family lived, like sports cars in the garages. And Syrians are coming out of the palace holding fine china and silverware.

[Leila Fadel]

Yeah, I was watching those videos as they walked through this palace, seeing the riches he lived in as so many lived in poverty. I've also seen the videos of thousands of prisoners freed and just moving, heartbreaking scenes. What do we know about them?

[Ruth Sherlock]

Well over 100,000 detainees are believed to be unaccounted for in Syria, and now their loved ones want to find them. So you've got families combing the Sednaya prison in Damascus. There's this huge complex. It was synonymous with fear and torture during the regime. Thousands of people have disappeared there. And now, you know, rights groups say that many of the prisoners have died there of neglect of torture. There were mass executions in the prisons. But we're also seeing these incredible scenes of detainees being freed. What you're hearing here is, you know, the sound from a video showing cell doors being bashed open as prisoners, gaunt and grey and dazed, are crying wildly as they learn that the regime has fallen. Some are too injured to walk. So you're seeing them drag themselves towards the exit. And rescuers believe, though, there are many more prisoners underground in these cells behind thick walls. So now they're searching for a way to free them, too.

[Leila Fadel]

Really quickly, before I let you go, there's also an American who's been held for some 12 years, believed to be with the regime. Austin Tice, the American journalist who disappeared in Syria. What do we know there?

[Ruth Sherlock]

President Biden says the White House believes he is alive and his parents, Mark and Deborah Tice, have never given up. They're speaking to the media, calling on Syrians to find Austin and help him, Deborah Tice said. Direct him to his family, please.

[Leila Fadel]

NPR's Ruth Sherlock. Thank you, Ruth.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Thank you, Leila.

[Michelle Martin]

President Biden said Sunday the US Is prepared to work with Syrians as they try to create a new government.

[Leila Fadel]

Yet President Elect Trump is sounding a different note.

[Michelle Martin]

To hear More on this, NPR's Greg Myri is with us. Good morning, Greg.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Hi.

[N/A]

Hi, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

First, the US Carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria. What can you tell us about that?

[N/A]

Yeah, this was really big, Michelle. The US Military carried out this very large airstrike on Islamic State bases in central Syria. The US Was done because a sizable group of Islamic State fighters gathered to train, perhaps hoping to take advantage of the turmoil in Syria. So the US says it hit some 75 targets. The US 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 US Would maintain this presence in Syria. He called Bashar al Assad's ouster both a moment of risk and opportunity and said the US Will work with Syrians as they try to put together a new government.

[Michelle Martin]

But what about Hayatah al Sham or hts? That is the group that is now believed to be in power in Syria. They're still designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. aren't they?

[N/A]

That's right. This group, HTS, has been on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations for more than a decade. That means the US 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 US Will be closely watching their actions.

[Michelle Martin]

So that's what President Biden is saying. President Elect Trump is striking a different tone. Tell us more about that and what should we expect from him?

[N/A]

Yeah, Trump was on social media over the weekend. He said Syria is not a US Problem. The US shouldn't get involved, should just let it play out. But that may be easier said than done because, as we've noted, the US Is already pretty deeply involved. And the US 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 US Military and have developed very close ties.

[Ruth Sherlock]

If you spoke to any of these people and you asked them about the United States military and you asked them about the relationship between the two, those Syrians love the American military.

[Michelle Martin]

So Iran and Russia were both big backers of Bashar al Assad. What does this mean for them?

[N/A]

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 Ghanoul Toll with the Middle East Institute in Washington and asked her where this leaves Iran.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Losing Syria will deal a huge blow to Iran and its proxies in the region. And that's why I think right now the leaders in Tehran must be feeling quite anxious.

[Michelle Martin]

And what about Russia?

[N/A]

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.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Greg Myhre. Greg, thank you.

[N/A]

Sure thing.

[Michelle Martin]

And now we have another window into how President elect Donald Trump says he plans to govern.

[Leila Fadel]

In his first network television interview since winning the election, he sat down with Kristen Welker on NBC's Meet the Press.

[Greg Myhre]

I won on two things, the border and more than immigration. You know, they like to say immigration. I break it down more to the border, but I want on the border and I want on groceries. It's a very simple word, groceries.

[Leila Fadel]

He sung the praises of the power of tariffs. He said he doesn't intend to cut off access to abortion pills. And he said mass deportation.

[Michelle Martin]

For more on this, we are joined by NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. Good morning, Tam.

[Tamara Keith]

Good morning.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, so you covered Trump's first term. You followed him and his time in office very closely. What did this interview tell you about how he is approaching his second term.

[Tamara Keith]

For much of the interview, he spoke in soft tones. He talked about unity and said that it would be the theme of his inaugural address. These are things that he has said when he feels confident and appreciated. And he voiced something that he's voiced many times before over the past eight years, that success brings unity. Take this moment where Welker asked him about whether he plans to prosecute President Biden.

[Greg Myhre]

I'm really looking to make our country successful. I'm not looking to go back into the past. I'm looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success. If we can make our success, this country successful, that would be my greatest. That would be such a great achievement. Bring it back.

[Tamara Keith]

So you could call this the generous victor version of Trump, but there were other times in this interview where he let his old grudges slip through.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, so tell us more about that.

[Tamara Keith]

Well, success is retribution was all fine and good until the House January 6th committee came up for what they did.

[Greg Myhre]

Yeah, honestly, they should go to jail.

[Leila Fadel]

So you think Liz Cheney should go.

[Greg Myhre]

To jail for what they want on.

[Leila Fadel]

The committee, you think?

[Greg Myhre]

I think everybody on the. Anybody that voted in favor of.

[Tamara Keith]

Are you going to direct your FBI.

[Michelle Martin]

Director and your attorney general to senate them to jail?

[Greg Myhre]

Not at all. I think that they'll have to look at that.

[Tamara Keith]

It's not entirely clear what he thinks they should go to jail for, but in an unedited transcript, he spent a lot of time repeating a false claim that the committee had destroyed evidence. It didn't. And he said he plans to follow through on his pledge on day one to pardon people who've been convicted of crimes for their activities. On January 6, though, he did say the pardons would be considered on a case by case basis.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, so let's go back to policy. Immigration, a signature issue for him since his first run for office. Did he make some news here?

[Tamara Keith]

Yeah, he did. He said he wants to come up with a legislative solution for dreamers who were brought to the US as young children and who have been living here in some cases for decades now. And he repeated his desire to end birthright citizenship on day one. And then he conceded that it may require a constitutional amendment, which definitely couldn't happen on day one. As for his campaign pledge of mass deportations, he said he planned to start by deporting criminals, but eventually it would have move beyond them. Asked about mixed status families, he suggested the only way to avoid family separation would be to send American citizen children away with their undocumented parents. Quote, you have to send them all back. And he acknowledged there well could be images that emerge from these policies that turn the public against them.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Tamara Keith Tam, thank you.

[Tamara Keith]

You're welcome.

[Michelle Martin]

And that's up first for Monday, December 9th. I'm Michelle Martin.

[Leila Fadel]

And I'm Leila Fauld. And for your next listen, why not consider Consider this from npr. We here at up first give you the three big stories of the day. Our Consider this colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means to you in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michelle Martin]

Today's episode of up first was edited by James Hyder, Andrew Sussman, Roberta Rampton, H.J. mai, and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Katie Klein and Ben Abrams. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Carly Strange. We hope you'll join us again tomorrow.

[N/A]

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