Roger Carstens, the Biden administration’s top official for freeing Americans held overseas, embarked on a high-risk mission to Damascus, Syria, to meet with the caretaker government and request assistance in locating missing American journalist Austin Tice. Tice was abducted in Syria 12 years ago during the civil war and the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. Despite years of efforts, U.S. officials have been unable to confirm Tice’s current status or whereabouts.
Following his visit to Syria, Carstens revealed in an exclusive interview on “Face the Nation” from Amman, Jordan, that the U.S. Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs had conducted a joint search at a facility with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel group that recently ousted Assad’s regime. The search was focused on locations believed to have a connection to Austin Tice. While Carstens did not provide details of the search or its results, he mentioned that HTS had been cooperative in the efforts to locate Tice.
The U.S. delegation, which included Barbara Leaf, the State Department’s top diplomat for the Middle East, and Near East Senior Adviser Daniel Rubinstein, made history by being the first American diplomats to visit Damascus in over a decade. The purpose of their visit was to engage with HTS representatives and discuss transition principles outlined in Aqaba, Jordan. The delegation received security support from DSS Mobile Security Deployments and U.S. special operations forces as they traveled to Damascus, with assurances from HTS for safe passage.
Despite the primary objective of finding and freeing Tice and other missing Americans, U.S. officials tempered expectations of immediate breakthroughs during this mission. The focus was on conveying U.S. interests to HTS leaders and gathering any information that could aid in the search for Tice. Rubinstein is set to lead further diplomatic efforts in Syria, engaging directly with the Syrian people and key stakeholders in the country.
The decision to engage with HTS comes at a critical juncture in a region fraught with volatility and uncertainty. The fall of the Assad regime, which had been in power for over a decade, has opened up opportunities for new alliances and power dynamics. HTS, previously designated as a foreign terrorist organization, has shown signs of moderation under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Mohammed al Jolani. U.S. sanctions on HTS complicate diplomatic outreach, but President Biden has directed officials to engage with the group in pursuit of shared goals.
The Biden administration’s approach to Syria involves a delicate balance of security concerns, diplomatic engagement, and strategic alliances. With approximately 2,000 U.S. troops deployed in Syria as part of the mission to combat ISIS, the administration is vigilant about the potential resurgence of extremist groups in the region. The situation at the al-Hol camp, where thousands of ISIS prisoners are held, remains a point of concern as Kurdish forces guard the facility amidst shifting power dynamics.
The decision to send high-level diplomats to Damascus reflects a departure from the Biden administration’s traditionally cautious approach to international diplomacy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved Carstens and Leaf’s mission, underscoring the importance of direct communication and engagement in complex geopolitical contexts. The risks associated with such missions were acknowledged, drawing parallels to past incidents of violence against American diplomats in conflict zones.
As the U.S. seeks to navigate the evolving landscape in Syria, the engagement with HTS signals a willingness to explore new avenues for peace and stability in the region. The potential for lifting sanctions on HTS, contingent upon their commitment to inclusive governance and democratic processes, highlights the administration’s strategic objectives in Syria. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the Biden administration remains committed to pursuing diplomatic solutions to complex international crises.
In conclusion, the mission to Damascus to search for Austin Tice represents a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy as the administration seeks to address longstanding issues of hostage affairs and diplomatic engagement in conflict zones. The collaboration with HTS, a formerly designated terrorist organization, underscores the complexities of navigating alliances in a volatile region. As efforts continue to locate Tice and other missing Americans, the administration’s approach to Syria reflects a nuanced strategy that balances security concerns with diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
