- Home
- World
- RPT - Biden Pick for Top Diplomat Likely to Escalate US Interference in Syria - Ex-UK Envoy
RPT - Biden Pick For Top Diplomat Likely To Escalate US Interference In Syria - Ex-UK Envoy
Umer Jamshaid Published November 26, 2020 | 11:10 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th November, 2020) Projected President-elect Joe Biden's administration is likely to involve the United States in more middle East conflicts under a Department of State led by Antony Blinken, who has openly regretted Washington's failure to topple the government in Damascus, former UK ambassador to Syria Peter Ford told Sputnik.
On Tuesday, Biden announced his selection of Blinken as secretary of state and Jake Sullivan as national security adviser, along with other cabinet posts. The developments come as Russia has expressed concerns over processes unfolding in Syrian territories under US control. On Wednesday, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said separatist tendencies provoked by the external occupation are blocking attempts to restore Syria's territorial integrity.
"Blinken is on record deeply regretting that [former President Barack] Obama nixed plans for the United States to go wading into the Syrian quagmire even more than it did already, and condemning [President Donald] Trump's worthy but feeble attempts to withdraw US troops from Syria," Ford said. "The scene is set for more counter-productive US belligerence and interference in the Middle East."
Trump came under fire in both parties for trying to swiftly drawdown troops in Syria, although he authorized a few hundred personnel to stay behind to seize the country's oil.
Blinken, in addition to backing the arming of extremists in Syria, has also supported the intervention in Libya, the Iraq war, and the Saudi campaign in Yemen.
Ford also said Blinken believes rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement will put the United States in a stronger position to tackle Tehran over its "destabilizing behavior."
"If this is the mindset and the objective he brings to the table with Iran, the recalibration of relations with Iran is dead in the water," Ford predicted.
Contrary to Blinken's assessments, he added, Iran had consistently played a constructive role in blocking the expansion of terrorist elements in Syria. Ford said the bigger problem is the US "destabilizing" behavior in the region "involving serial regime change maneuvers."
Ford is also worried about the policies that Sullivan, a former Hillary Clinton adviser, would join with Blinken in disastrously implementing.
"Neither of these appointments bodes well for peace in the Middle East, or probably anywhere else. Both appointees are classic products off the Washington conveyor belt of true believers in American exceptionalism and 'leadership' (i.e. domination)," he said. "Neither has ever stood for a policy or a principle that was not fashionable with the Washington establishment at the time."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
More Stories From World
-
Kremlin says Ukraine access to ATACMS will not impact outcome of conflict
5 minutes ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
5 minutes ago -
US announces sweeping cuts to power sector carbon emissions
1 hour ago -
US to give Micron $6.1 bn for American chip factories
1 hour ago -
Venice launches five-euro entry fee
1 hour ago -
New Godzilla x Kong film continues to lead Chinese box office
1 hour ago
-
2024 Zhongguancun Forum opens in Beijing to focus on cutting-edge technologies
1 hour ago -
Philippines grapples with measles, pertussis outbreaks: UNICEF
2 hours ago -
450,000 stimulant tablets seized in Myanmar's Yangon
2 hours ago -
Mining giant Anglo American shares jump on BHP bid
2 hours ago -
Cambodia's rubber export up 5.1 pct in Q1
2 hours ago -
Zimbabwean president reshuffles cabinet
2 hours ago