JD Vance Backs Trump’s Controversial Approach To Syria Tensions

Map showing Syria and surrounding regions.

Senator JD Vance’s support of Donald Trump’s stance on Syria draws nationwide attention as the Syrian conflict reaches a critical point.

At a Glance

Both Trump and Vance assert U.S. military should avoid the Syrian conflict.
Syrian rebels advance towards Damascus, threatening the Assad regime.
The Biden administration also avoids military involvement in Syria.

Trump and Vance’s Non-Interventionist Position

President-elect Donald Trump has made his opinion clear that the United States should not involve its military in Syria, stating bluntly on social media, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” Senator JD Vance echoes this perspective, emphasizing that American involvement would be unwarranted as the situation does not pertain to national interests.

The Biden administration, conveyed by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, similarly expressed no intention of engaging militarily in the Syrian civil war. This approach aligns bipartisanly with Trump’s declarations, with Syria perceived as an international quagmire best left to unwind without U.S. entanglement.

Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad. Russia, because they are so tied up…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2024

Developments in Syria

Syrian rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have significantly advanced towards Damascus, potentially destabilizing the Assad regime. This progress has reportedly resulted in President Assad leaving the country, a development that presents new dynamics in the decade-long civil war.

“Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad,” wrote Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.

Meanwhile, Trump’s transition team has indicated that the fall of Assad’s regime could weaken Iran’s influence in the region. Trump himself has been critical of Assad, indicating that neither Russian nor Iranian forces deserve U.S. support.

JD Vance backs Donald Trump on Syria: "This is not our fight" https://t.co/rOV9QkiLJF

— The Hill (@thehill) December 8, 2024

Vance’s Cautionary Outlook

JD Vance has expressed caution in the enthusiasm surrounding the rebels’ progress, drawing parallels to past events where rebel successes led to humanitarian crises. He has reminded observers of previous situations where such victories led to severe repercussions, raising concerns regarding the next phase of Syria’s trajectory.

“The last time this guy was celebrating events in Syria we saw the mass slaughter of Christians and a refugee crisis that destabilized Europe,” said Vance.

This prudent approach aligns with a broader conservative ethos of prioritizing American interests and avoiding the pitfalls of international interventionism, particularly where the direct benefits to U.S. security and prosperity are unclear.