Israel Urges U.S. to Support Russian Presence in Post-Assad Syria

Israel has reportedly been lobbying the United States to support Russia’s continued presence in post-Assad Syria, aiming to weaken the country’s new government and curb Turkiye’s growing influence in the region.

According to a Reuters report citing four unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, Israeli officials have held meetings with senior U.S. officials in Washington and American congressional representatives in Israel over the past month to express their concerns about Syria’s new authorities.

Israeli Concerns Over Syria’s New Leadership

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime nearly three months ago, Israel has repeatedly voiced apprehensions about the national and regional ambitions of Syria’s new leadership. In the months following the collapse of Assad’s government, Israeli forces have expanded their occupation of Syrian territory south of Damascus, further increasing tensions in the region.

Beyond direct meetings, Israeli officials have reportedly conveyed their stance to the Biden administration in a formal “white paper”, outlining their security concerns and the potential risks posed by Syria’s new leadership.

A Strategy to Keep Syria Divided

One of Israel’s primary objectives, according to the sources, is to keep Syria decentralized and divided, preventing the country from becoming a strong regional player. A key aspect of this strategy is countering Turkiye’s expanding influence in Syria, particularly as Ankara has increased its diplomatic, security, and infrastructure support to the new authorities in Damascus.

In a bid to counter Turkiye, Israel is reportedly pushing for the U.S. to support Russia’s continued presence in Syria. Specifically, Israel is advocating for Washington to help Moscow retain control of its Mediterranean naval base in Tartus and its Hmeimim airbase in Latakia—two critical Russian military installations in Syria.

U.S. Officials Surprised by Israel’s Stance

According to sources, some U.S. officials were taken aback by Israel’s stance. Given Turkiye’s NATO membership, many in Washington view Ankara as a buffer against potential threats from Syria—including any that may be directed at Israel. However, Israeli officials reportedly remained adamant that Russia’s continued presence in Syria was a preferable alternative to growing Turkish influence.

While the Biden administration has not publicly commented on Israel’s requests, the issue highlights the complex geopolitical calculations surrounding Syria’s post-Assad era. With Russia, the U.S., and regional players like Israel and Turkiye all maneuvering for influence, Syria’s future remains uncertain and fraught with competing interests.