With America's presidential transition, Syria's fast-moving conflict presents a unique geopolitical challenge
While President Biden is still running things at the White House, he is the lamest of lame duck presidents. Donald Trump does not become president until 20 January and so is unable officially to do anything. He has said it "may actually be the best thing" for Bashar al Assad to be toppled.
Saturday 7 December 2024 22:00, UK
There was a time not all that long ago when the United States would be seeking clearly to drive and define a particular narrative and outcome for the events unfolding in the Middle East.
Seeking to mould events to its own benefit has been a central tenet of American foreign policy.
But the remarkable and fast-moving developments in Syria, come at an unusual moment for America.
Syria latest: Rebels expand control
In Washington DC, there is a vacuum of leadership.
We are in the midst of the transition between President Joe Biden and president-elect Donald Trump.
President Biden is still running things at the White House but his ability to influence events in the Middle East, if he is even inclined to, has been shown to be limited. He is the lamest of lame duck presidents.
Mr Trump does not become president until 20 January and so is unable officially to do anything.
And yet he is already THE leading player on the world stage right now. What he does (and doesn't do) and what he says (and doesn't say) carries enormous weight.
His presence in Paris this weekend - invited by President Emmanuel Macron - is as important as it is remarkable. I can't think of a precedent; a moment in recent history where a president-elect would hold such influence.
Of the events in Syria, the Biden White House has said only that the administration is closely monitoring developments.
Donald Trump however, on social media, on brand, has declared his hand.
"Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" he wrote.
On President Bashar al Assad's fate, his words were only marginally ambiguous. It "may actually be the best thing" for Mr Assad to be toppled, he said.
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Mr Trump will not take over as president for another six weeks. And yet already it feels like he is more of a player and moulder of global events (because of what he does and doesn't choose to do and say) than at any time in his last presidency.
There's another difference this time too.
During Mr Trump's last presidency, there were powerful European counterbalances. But now, Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel is long gone and Mr Macron is weak, despite his diplomatic masterstroke in inviting Mr Trump to Paris.