US Plans Military Base in Damascus to Monitor Syria-Israel Pact

Published 2 days ago

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Above: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 14, 2025. Image copyright: @PressSec/X

The Spin

If the details of this report are accurate, this is a stunning geopolitical coup for the United States. By taking control of the airbase, America has seized a golden opportunity to cement its foothold in Syria and further its influence in a region that not too long ago was aligned with its adversaries. Rival powers like Russia will surely be left scrambling at this development.

Voice From The East on X

Ian Bremmer on X

With its primary objectives in the region already complete, it would be a mistake for the U.S. to double down on its presence in Syria. With Assad gone and ISIS practically defeated, a total U.S. withdrawal from Syria is the only policy that makes sense, unless the administration wants to commit vital resources to a threat of diminishing strategic value.

Stars and Stripes

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 10% chance that Syria will be partitioned into new, internationally recognized sovereign states before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.