Iran Issues Warning About US Bases in Syria
NewsweekJAN 6
Report: US Plans Military Base in Damascus to Monitor Possible Syria-Israel Pact
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 14, 2025. Image copyright: @PressSec/X
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
If the details of this report are accurate, this is a stunning geopolitical coup for the United States. By taking control of the airbase, America has seized a golden opportunity to cement its foothold in Syria and further its influence in a region that not too long ago was aligned with its adversaries. Rival powers like Russia will surely be left scrambling at this development.
Establishment-critical narrative
With its primary objectives in the region already complete, it would be a mistake for the U.S. to double down on its presence in Syria. With Assad gone and ISIS practically defeated, a total U.S. withdrawal from Syria is the only policy that makes sense, unless the administration wants to commit vital resources to a threat of diminishing strategic value.
Cynical narrative
Rather than forging genuine peace, this move would serve as a strategic hedge for Washington — positioning a “base” in Damascus under the guise of a pact, while locking in long-term access and surveillance power in the heart of Syria, effectively leasing influence more than securing stability.