President Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington.

Evan Vucci/AP

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Evan Vucci/AP

President Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington.

Evan Vucci/AP

Syria is in the midst of rebuilding after a long civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. What happens next in Syria poses a challenge for the U.S. and the Trump administration’s goals, especially as roughly 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria to help keep the peace.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and international correspondent Jane Arraf.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.