On December 8, President Joe Biden reacted to the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, calling it a “moment of risk and historic opportunity.” Biden offered his support for the formation of a new government that “will be determined by the Syrian people themselves,” adding that his administration “will do whatever we can to support them.” White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan outlined the Biden administration’s three principles toward the emerging situation in Syria: to prevent the resurgence of the so-called Islamic State; to ensure that Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and other nearby nations “are strong and secure”; and to prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe,” especially with regard to religious and ethnic minorities.
Other senior US officials also weighed in on Syrian developments on Sunday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that “the Syrian people finally have reason for hope.” Blinken stated that the Biden administration will monitor developments, support efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities, and encourage a peaceful transition of power through an inclusive, Syrian-led process. United States Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power noted that the agency has recently coordinated with partners and is ready to support aid efforts in Syria. In a phone call with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the importance of close coordination between the two countries “to prevent further escalation of an already volatile situation, as well as to avoid any risk to U.S. forces and partners, and the Defeat-ISIS Mission.”
In Congress, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Ranking Member Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), along with House Foreign Affairs Committee members Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY), welcomed the end of Assad’s rule and called for accountability and an inclusive political transition.
I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill to Require Sanctions Regarding Sudan. On December 3, Reps. Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) introduced H.R.10268, which would require sanctions on perpetrators of human rights violations in Sudan, appoint a Special Presidential Envoy to lead diplomatic efforts to address the Sudanese crisis, and provide support to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid.
Senate Bill Seeks to Ban Lobbying for Foreign Adversaries. On December 4, Sens. Risch, John Cornyn (R-TX), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act. The bill would ban former senior US officials from lobbying for “countries of concern,” including Iran and Syria.
Senate Bill Would Ban Federal Use of “West Bank.” On December 5, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced S.5431, which would require all official US documents and materials to use the term “Judea and Samaria” instead of the “West Bank.” The bill is the Senate version of a House bill introduced in February 2024 by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY).
Senate Resolution Condemns Iran’s Persecution of Bahai Minority. On December 5, the Senate passed S.Res.74, which condemns the Iranian government’s persecution of the Bahai minority in Iran and urges the President and Secretary of State to impose additional sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for serious human rights abuses.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senators Risch and Cardin Meet Jordan’s King Abdullah. On December 4, Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders Sen. Cardin and Risch met with King Abdullah II of Jordan to reaffirm the US-Jordan partnership and discuss regional security, focusing on Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.
Cardin Urges Action on Sudan. On December 6, Sen. Cardin called on the Biden administration to use the US presidency of the United Nations Security Council, which lasts for the month of December, to lead efforts to protect civilians in Sudan, deliver critical humanitarian aid, and hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.
Senate Republicans Call for Greater Pressure on Iran. On December 6, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) led a letter with eight Republican colleagues to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, raising concerns regarding the Biden administration’s delay in implementing and enforcing sanctions on Iranian oil.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
White House Provides Updates on Gaza Talks and Lebanon Ceasefire. On December 2, National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said that the Biden administration is actively working with Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish partners to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Kirby also addressed Israel’s strikes in Lebanon despite the cessation of hostilities agreement, describing the strikes as only “sporadic” and maintaining that Israel retains the right to respond to threats in self-defense.
2) Department of State
Antisemitism Special Envoy Travels to Region to Promote Interfaith Work. On December 4, the Department of State announced that Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt would travel from December 3 to 14 to Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates for meetings with governmental and civil society representatives to discuss interfaith understanding and religious tolerance.
Blinken Meets with Israeli Officials. On December 2, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. On December 5, Secretary Blinken met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. In both meetings, Blinken reviewed efforts to release hostages in Gaza, plans for a post-conflict period, and the need for Israel to do more to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The officials also discussed implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Department “Outraged” By Killing of Humanitarian Workers in Gaza. On December 3, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that the Department is “outraged” by Israel’s recent killing of aid workers from World Central Kitchen and is “concerned” by reports of a strike that killed an aid worker from Save the Children. Patel added that the Biden administration continues to press Israel on the need to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis.
Department Approves Possible Military Sale to Tunisia. On December 3, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia of Javelin missiles and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $107.7 million.
Blinken Speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister. On December 4, Secretary Blinken spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the post-conflict period. Blinken thanked Egypt for its efforts to address the situation in Sudan. Regarding Syria, Blinken urged de-escalation, protection of civilians and minority groups, and a return to a political process consistent with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254 to end the conflict.
Blinken “Determined” to Not Let Lebanon Ceasefire Collapse. In an interview with Reuters on December 4, Secretary Blinken said that he is “determined” to ensure that the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel does not collapse.
Department Condemns RSF Attack on IDP Camp. On December 5, Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned a recent attack by the Rapid Support Forces on the Zamzam internally displaced persons camp in Darfur. Miller called for a pause of all military activity in and around Zamzam and other camps where civilians have sought refuge.
Special Envoy for Yemen Discusses Houthi Activity and Political Dialogue. On December 5, the Department of State announced December 4-12 travel by Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking to Bahrain, Qatar, and Djibouti. Lenderking’s trip focuses on coordinating efforts to counter Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and discussing the urgent facilitation of humanitarian goods and services to all Yemenis, practical measures to create the conditions for intra-Yemeni political dialogue, and the Houthis’ detention of Yemenis employed by international organizations and diplomatic missions.
Department Calls for De-Escalation in Syria. On December 3 and 5, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Patel stated that the United States is encouraging regional partners and allies to do everything possible to de-escalate the situation in Syria. Patel reiterated that the United States continues to push for a UN-facilitated political process consistent with UNSCR 2254.
Department Rejects Genocide Allegation Against Israel. On December 5, in response to Amnesty International’s conclusion that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Patel stated that the United States “unequivocally” believes that allegations of genocide are “unfounded.”
Special Envoy for Sudan Holds Meetings on Humanitarian Crisis. Starting on December 6, Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello traveled to Doha, Nairobi, London, and Nouakchott to discuss the need to scale up humanitarian assistance, improve protections for civilians, and support a political transition to civilian governance in Sudan. The Department of State announced that Perriello would meet with government officials and representatives of the African Union, the Arab League, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and Sudanese civil society.
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Conducts Strikes in Syria. According to a CENTCOM press release, on December 3 CENTCOM forces destroyed several weapon systems in Syria. Per the announcement, the strike was unrelated to recent events in the northwest of the country. CENTCOM affirmed that the US mission in Syria to defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS) remains unchanged, as was reiterated by Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Paty Ryder throughout the week. On December 8, CENTCOM forces conducted dozens of airstrikes targeting camps and operatives in central Syria belonging to IS.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury and State Welcome Extension of Indemnification for Israeli Banks. On December 2, the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State welcomed the Israeli government’s decision to approve a one-year extension of its indemnification for Israeli banks’ correspondent relationships with Palestinian banking counterparts.
Treasury Sanctions Iranian Oil Fleet. On December 3, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced new sanctions on 35 entities and vessels for transporting illicit Iranian petroleum to foreign markets.
5) United States Agency for International Development
Administrator Power Meets with Top UN Humanitarian Official. On December 6, Administrator Samantha Power met with Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and discussed the humanitarian situations in Sudan, Gaza, Yemen, and Syria.
The views expressed in this publication are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Arab Center Washington DC, its staff, or its Board of Directors.
