![\"Could](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Syrian_President_Ahmed_al-Sharaa_with_U.S._President_Donald_Trump_November_2025.jpg\")
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\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSyrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Meets with President Trump \/\/ Photo: @realDonaldTrump on Truth Social\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
As Syria continues to forge a path towards stability after 13 years of civil war<\/a>, the new government is diligently working towards reestablishing its sovereignty and taking control of its borders. For example, Syria and Russia reached an agreement<\/a> earlier this month to transition the last two Russian bases on Syria\u2019s Mediterranean coast to Syrian control. Meanwhile, Syria still faces significant headwinds as Israel continues to attack its territory<\/a>, further highlighting the challenges to consolidating a stable Syrian state. These two developments underscore the complexity of Syria\u2019s road to recovery, but they also allow the U.S. to step up as a meaningful partner and present an opportunity for President Trump to establish a lasting legacy.<\/p>\n Under former President Bashar al-Assad, Syria allowed Russia to operate over 100 military sites<\/a> on its soil which served as Russia\u2019s footholds in both the Mediterranean and the Middle East. After the new Syrian government came into power, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov revealed<\/a> that this number had shrunk to only two: Hmeimem air base and Tartus naval base. Sana, Syria\u2019s national news agency, broke the news<\/a> of the recent agreement, attesting Syria will assume management of civilian-use facilities while the two countries will redefine the role of military facilities as joint training and qualification centers.<\/p>\n With the signed agreement on these Russian bases, Syria has taken the next step to cement control over its territory. Currently Russia, T\u00fcrkiye, and Israel are the only verified foreign military presences remaining in the country, with T\u00fcrkiye controlling portions of northern Syria and Israel holding territory in the south. T\u00fcrkiye says it is focused on maintaining the stability of post-Assad Syria<\/a> so extremists cannot use it as a staging ground, while Israel would prefer a weak and fragmented Syria<\/a> to avoid a strong neighbor capable of threatening its northeastern border. Syria\u2019s continued cooperation with T\u00fcrkiye<\/a> highlights its willingness to tolerate the Turkish presence in the north, most likely due to their shared vision of a stable Syria.<\/p>\n On the other hand, Syria is opposed to Israel\u2019s occupation<\/a> of its territory but does not have much recourse to contest Israel\u2019s encroachment. As shown by its newest airstrikes, Israel\u2019s unprovoked and expanding campaign against Syria has swelled far beyond the contested territory in the south. These strikes were aimed at the Abu al-Duhur military base in Idlib, a city in northwest Syria. The Syrian government labels the attack as an unjustified act of aggression<\/a>, and its timing\u00ad\u2014just days after a Turkish delegation visited the airbase<\/a>\u00ad\u2014suggests Israel is attempting to dissuade Syria and T\u00fcrkiye from reactivating Assad-era military sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes<\/a>, claiming Israel \u201cwill not tolerate a Turkish military entrenchment in Syria.\u201d<\/p>\n Because of Trump\u2019s close relationship with Netanyahu means he is uniquely capable of both promoting long-term regional stability and supporting the new Syrian government in the face of Israel\u2019s offensive. By capitalizing on this situation, the U.S can work to repair its image amidst the war in Iran while fostering a deeper partnership with Syria. Russia\u2019s deal with Syria does not completely end its involvement in the country; however, it does indicate that Russia is too preoccupied with its war in Ukraine to focus its resources on the Middle East.<\/p>\n