US weighs risks of aligning with Syria as Taliban’s betrayal still fresh in mind

US officials are cautious as they engage with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian rebel group that recently ousted Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The US aims to prevent Syria from descending into further chaos and instability, drawing from the lessons of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Last week, three US diplomats met in Damascus with HTS leaders, including their pragmatic leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. US officials were encouraged by al-Sharaa's moderate statements on women's rights, minority groups, and terrorism, but remain wary, fearing he may be appeasing the West to secure power, similar to the Taliban’s approach before seizing Afghanistan.

In 2021, US negotiators attempted to bring the Taliban into a power-sharing agreement but ultimately failed. Despite promising moderation, the Taliban swiftly imposed harsh restrictions after the US withdrawal, showcasing their ideological commitment over international recognition. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the lesson from Afghanistan: "The Taliban projected a more moderate face... then its true colors came out." Critics, such as Bill Roggio of The Long War Journal, argue that the US misjudged the Taliban’s true motives, prioritizing power and Sharia law over legitimacy.

Some experts fear a similar misjudgment with HTS. Roggio warns that the group’s leader, al-Sharaa, may be playing the US, having previously endorsed Al Qaeda's ideology. HTS, though no longer using terrorist tactics, is still labeled a terrorist group by the US, which remains cautious. Barbara Leaf of the State Department emphasized, "Deeds are the critical thing," suggesting HTS must prove its intentions through actions, not words.

Despite this wariness, Zalmay Khalilzad, former US envoy to Afghanistan, advocates for more direct engagement with Syria. He believes the US should take a proactive stance in shaping Syria’s future, recognizing its strategic importance compared to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, analysts like Colin Clarke stress that militant groups' actions, not promises, should guide US policy. "Talk is cheap," Clarke remarked, urging the US to prioritize actions over rhetoric.

By Vafa Guliyeva