WASHINGTON, D.C. – US officials are engaging with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group now controlling Syria, while mindful of the painful lessons from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. This caution is aimed at ensuring that Syria does not descend into further chaos, which could destabilize the Middle East and empower anti-American terrorist groups.
Last week, three US diplomats met in Damascus with HTS leaders, including the group’s leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. The objective was to persuade the group, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, to govern inclusively and moderately. US officials believe this approach is crucial to maintaining stability in Syria.
Barbara Leaf, the senior State Department official for the Middle East, described Sharaa as pragmatic and noted his moderate statements on women’s and minority rights and assurances against terrorist activities within Syria. However, US officials remain cautious, fearing that Sharaa might be attempting to win international backing while consolidating power, similar to the Taliban’s strategy in Afghanistan.
The caution stems from the US experience with the Taliban. In 2021, US negotiators attempted to bring the Taliban into a power-sharing agreement and hoped they would abandon strict Islamic law. However, after the US withdrawal, the Taliban quickly imposed harsh restrictions, disregarding US and international expectations.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the Taliban’s example as a cautionary tale for HTS, emphasizing the need for vigilance. Some analysts warn that the US should have learned from Afghanistan that militants prioritize power over concessions.
On the same day as the Damascus meetings, the US and several other governments issued a joint statement expressing grave concern over the Taliban’s recent actions, including barring women and girls from medical schools.
As the US engages with HTS, officials remain guarded, emphasizing that the group must demonstrate its commitments through actions. The potential for HTS to prevent terrorists from using Syria as a base will be a critical test.
Foreign policy experts argue that active engagement in Syria is necessary. Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US special envoy to Afghanistan, suggested that more direct contact with HTS could shape the situation positively, given Syria’s strategic importance.
While US officials take some reassurance from HTS’s governance of Syrian territories before Assad’s ousting, they remain cautious. The lesson from Afghanistan is clear: Western leverage is limited, and trust must be earned through actions, not words