Staff Reports
President Joe Biden recently made an appearance from the White House, where he took a victory lap of monumental proportions, claiming credit for the recent upheaval in Syria that resulted in the ousting of Bashar Assad. It seems the President believes he single-handedly orchestrated this regime change through a brilliant mix of U.S. policies, even though any remotely aware individual could recognize the ongoing chaos in that region has roots far deeper and darker than Biden’s latest soundbite can explain.
According to Biden, a trifecta of tactics made this possible: isolating Assad, tying Russia up in Ukraine, and granting Israel the unprecedented freedom to act against Iran and its Hezbollah proxy. The notion that Biden’s administration is now the puppet master pulling the strings behind these developments is almost comical, especially when the realities of Middle Eastern politics typically resemble a wild game of chess played by drunk elephants. The idea that U.S. sanctions and a military presence sprinkled with a dash of diplomacy make for a magic recipe for regime change is like saying ketchup is a sufficient substitute for a canvas when painting a masterpiece.
He lauded his administration’s commitment to sanctions against Assad, insisting they would remain until the dictator “engaged seriously” in a political dialogue, as though any reasonable person expects the tyrant to suddenly host a peace summit. The reality is that sanctions have long been a tool of ineffectiveness when it comes to dealing with despots who are busy securing their grip on power while the average Syrian citizen continues to suffer. The Biden administration appears to mirror the style of former President Obama, who famously drew a “red line” that washed into the sands of Syria without much consequence, as any actual action was seemingly avoided.
In his grand vision, Biden painted an optimistic picture of a new Syrian constitution drafted with input from various factions within the country. It’s unclear who precisely he envisions would be gathered around the same table—likely everyone from rebels to regime loyalists. The idea of uniting parties that have been at each other’s throats for years, backed by a magic wand of international aid, feels more like a fairy tale than a feasible diplomatic strategy. If optimism were a currency, perhaps Biden could start trading it on the stock market, because it sure isn’t finding any buyers in the realm of practical solutions.
Sure buddy. You keep tellin' yourself that. There's probably a chance the radical Islamists who did this are using American weapons. It's almost like 1979 all over again. https://t.co/VRBjWOi7oF
— Rob Carson Show (@RobCarson) December 9, 2024
As one looks deeper into Biden’s claims, it’s hard to miss the selective memory regarding Obama’s previous attempts to cozy up to Assad. Many of his actions created an environment where Iran gained a stronger foothold in the region, an ironic twist considering Biden now points fingers at Iran’s influence as justification for his policies. It’s astounding when one considers that the administration’s purported commitment to regional balance may just have been a ruse built on shaky alliances and promises that were never meant to be kept.
In the end, while Biden may revel in the bankrupt notion that he has somehow led the charge against tyranny in Syria, anyone with a grasp on the actual global dynamic understands that the chaos will continue to unfold independent of his optimistic rhetoric. The game remains unchanged, yet politicians will always find a way to spin the narrative in their favor—even if it borders on outright fiction.
