US-Backed Syrian 'Allies' Disappoint US-Backed Syrian Leaders
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (yes, al-Sharaa is the new Syrian president, as of December 2024, not Bashar al-Assad, a detail many outlets conveniently 'forget' just as they forget the civil war is technically 'over') is reportedly miffed that the US-backed YPG failed to uphold an April agreement to withdraw from an Aleppo neighborhood. The Daily Sabah , ever the bastion of objective reporting
(Turkey’s state-aligned media outlets are nothing if not consistent), frames this as a clear betrayal by a 'terrorist group'. One might wonder, however, if 'US-backed' has become synonymous with 'will destabilize region and then act surprised when things go sideways.' Historically, the US has a rather extensive ledger of 'allies' in the Middle East that mysteriously find themselves at odds with
other US-backed factions, or simply vanish when the geopolitical winds shift. Operation Cyclone in Afghanistan (1979-1989), arming Saddam Hussein (1980s), and the infamous Syrian proxy war playbook—all shining examples of long-term strategic brilliance. The phrase 'failed to honor' now sounds less like a specific group's dereliction and more like the default outcome of a Washington foreign policy
document.