The Art of the 'US-Backed Deal': When 'Rebels' Become 'Security Forces'
The Actors and Their Convenient Rebranding: At the center of this latest realignment are the Syrian government forces, under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Curiously, not so long ago, these 'security forces' of the Syrian government were often framed as brutal oppressors in Western media, while the SDF were touted as valiant, US-backed 'freedom
fighters' against ISIS. Now, with a new 'deal,' the lines blur. This shift isn't accidental; it's a well-worn playbook for external powers to maintain influence. The SDF, once hailed, now finds itself in a precarious bargain, having 'lost swathes of eastern and northern Syria to government troops in January'—a loss conveniently omitted from the 'US-backed deal' narrative. The Funding & the
Invisible Hand: While the Al-Monitor article is vague on the specifics of the 'US-backed deal,' we can infer the usual suspects. The US has historically provided significant financial and military support to the SDF (e.g., Department of Defense funding, often buried in appropriations bills, consistently running into hundreds of millions USD annually, see Congressional Research Service reports,
2017-present). This 'deal' likely involves a re-channeling or cessation of certain funds, or perhaps even concessions from the Syrian government, orchestrated behind the scenes. The question isn't 'if' there's money, but 'whose' money is now flowing where, and for what strategic quid pro quo. The Incentives: What Do They Gain? For the Syrian government, regaining control of Kurdish-held regions