Trump's Syria Pivot: From Kurdish Allies to Assad's Successor

In less than a week, the Middle East's strategic landscape has been redrawn. US President Donald Trump declared himself "very happy" with Syrian military advances against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces—the same group Washington had backed for years as its primary partner against ISIS.

The remarkable shift came during a phone call with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, just before the Syrian leader departed for Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. What makes this moment particularly striking is the speed: Trump's administration has essentially abandoned a decade-long alliance with Kurdish forces in favor of normalizing relations with Syria's new government.

The Kurdish Dilemma Resolves Itself

The Syrian Democratic Forces had been America's most reliable ground partner in the fight against ISIS, controlling significant territory in northeastern Syria including the cities of Raqqa and Deir Az Zor. But by January 18, SDF forces had withdrawn from both cities following a Syrian army offensive.

Trump's reaction was notably different from previous administrations. Rather than condemning the Syrian advance, he praised the developments. US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack provided the official rationale: the SDF's role as the "primary anti-ISIS force on the ground" had "largely expired," with Syrian government forces now taking on security responsibilities.

The transformation appears complete. Syria joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS as its 90th member in late 2025, effectively replacing the Kurds as Washington's preferred partner in counterterrorism operations.

Moscow's Strategic Patience Pays Off

While Trump celebrated, Vladimir Putin prepared to host al-Sharaa in Moscow. The timing is hardly coincidental. Russia has maintained its Syrian bases and influence throughout the country's political transition, and now finds itself in the enviable position of being courted by both the new Syrian leadership and, indirectly, the United States.

The Kremlin announced that Putin and al-Sharaa would discuss "bilateral relations in various areas" and "the current situation in the Middle East." For Moscow, this represents validation of its long-term strategy in Syria—maintaining military presence while allowing political transitions to unfold.

What's particularly noteworthy is how Russia has managed to preserve its strategic interests while both the US and Syria's new government seek accommodation. Putin's patience has been rewarded with continued relevance in Syrian affairs, even as the country's leadership has changed.

Republican Realignment in Real Time

The shift wasn't without internal resistance. Senator Lindsey Graham initially called for reimposing sanctions on Syria in response to the offensive against Kurdish forces. Graham had long been a vocal supporter of Kurdish autonomy and a critic of abandoning regional allies.

Yet within days, Graham had reversed course, crediting Trump with "restoring stability in Syria." This rapid realignment within the Republican Party illustrates how quickly foreign policy positions can shift when party leadership changes direction.

The speed of this transformation raises questions about the durability of American foreign policy commitments. Kurdish leaders, who had relied on US support for years, now find themselves negotiating directly with Damascus for their future.