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Biden Hails Assad's Fall as 'Historic Opportunity,' Trump Urges U.S. Non-Involvement. President Joe Biden called the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria a "historic opportunity" for its people, condemning Assad's brutal rule as responsible for countless innocent deaths. While celebrating the regime's end, Biden warned of risks and uncertainty, pledging U.S. support for Syria’s neighbors and safety for Americans in the region, ABC News reports. Biden emphasized a commitment to securing the release of American journalist and veteran Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012. President-elect Donald Trump dismissed involvement in Syria, labeling the situation a "mess" and stating it is not America's fight, urging non-interference. Biden stressed the need for an inclusive Syrian-led process to transition power while safeguarding regional stability. Trump highlighted Syria’s ongoing conflict as an internal matter and pointed to Russia's distraction with Ukraine as a contributing factor to Assad’s downfall. Biden assured support for Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, addressing potential threats arising from the power vacuum in Syria. Biden noted the immense toll of Syria's civil war, with over 300,000 civilians dead and millions displaced, pledging continued U.S. humanitarian efforts. Trump called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, emphasizing the need to prevent further escalation and loss of life. Both leaders acknowledged the potential chaos in Syria’s aftermath, with Biden expressing cautious optimism and Trump emphasizing restraint to avoid deepening U.S. involvement.
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