Well, folks, it looks like things in Syria are shaking up once again, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is in the thick of it.
Over the weekend, as Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad packed his bags and hightailed it to Moscow, CENTCOM announced they had launched precision airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria. A series of strikes featuring heavy hitters like B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, reportedly took out over 75 ISIS targets. Sounds impressive, right? But let’s break this down a little.
On the surface, this seems like a win for anyone who wants to see ISIS kept in check. CENTCOM assures us these strikes are all part of an ongoing mission to “disrupt, degrade, and defeat” the terrorist group. And don’t worry, they say—there’s no indication of civilian casualties, and they’re working with allies and partners to make sure ISIS doesn’t use the chaos in Syria to bounce back. All good things.
But here’s where the snark comes in: is anyone else rolling their eyes a little when President Joe Biden gets on his soapbox and promises “stability” in Syria? Stability in Syria? Really? Assad’s been booted out, Damascus is in chaos, and Russia is playing host to the deposed dictator like it’s some twisted version of The Great Escape. Meanwhile, Biden’s over here talking about “vacuum” prevention like the U.S. hasn’t been stumbling over its own red lines in Syria for the better part of a decade.
“We’re clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capabilities and to create a safe haven,” Biden said. “We will not let that happen.”
BREAKING: Biden pledges to send aid to the new regime to rebuild Syria pic.twitter.com/89ecNbcIoW
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 8, 2024
And then, there’s President-elect Donald Trump, making his position abundantly clear on X: “Syria is a mess,” and the United States should “NOT GET INVOLVED!” Say what you will about Trump, but at least he’s consistent. He’s sticking to his America First mindset—something a lot of people find refreshingly honest after years of endless wars and questionable foreign entanglements.
Now, let’s not gloss over CENTCOM’s effort here. The precision and scale of these airstrikes are a reminder of what the U.S. military is capable of when the mission is clear. General Michael Erik Kurilla made it plain: ISIS will not get a free pass to regroup. That’s the kind of tough talk that should resonate, especially with all the instability in the region.
But the broader question remains: what’s the endgame in Syria? Are we just hitting ISIS camps and crossing our fingers that things will magically stabilize? With Assad gone, there’s a vacuum big enough to swallow Damascus whole, and history tells us that’s exactly what terrorist groups like ISIS thrive on.
So, while the airstrikes may feel like a tactical win, let’s hope someone is thinking strategically about what comes next. If not, it’s just a matter of time before we’re back in the same cycle—more instability, more threats, and more questions about why the U.S. keeps playing cleanup in the world’s messiest sandbox.
