U.S. Secretary of State: Syrian Leaders Should Learn from the Taliban and Avoid Isolation Like Afghanistan

Bayan News – Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that Tahrir al-Sham, which governs Damascus, should fulfill its promises of forming an inclusive government and avoid global isolation like present-day Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s negotiating delegation, now members of the interim government, had pledged during the Doha talks not to hinder girls’ education or women’s employment and to establish a government that represents all the people of Afghanistan.

On Wednesday (December 18), the U.S. Secretary of State commented on this issue at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, saying:

“The Taliban initially presented a more moderate image when they took control of Afghanistan, or at least tried to portray themselves that way, but their true nature was revealed later.”

Blinken explicitly stated that, as a result of such policies, the Taliban remain deeply isolated on the global stage.

He emphasized the need for Syria to form an inclusive, non-sectarian government that represents all minorities and addresses security concerns, particularly the threat of ISIS and Syria’s remaining chemical weapons.

The U.S. Secretary of State also said that Tahrir al-Sham could learn from Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s former president, about the necessity of reaching a political solution with other groups.

Blinken added: “Assad’s complete refusal to engage in any political process was one of the reasons that sealed his downfall.”

Interim Government Official: Journalists and Media Should Be Free