In a wide-ranging foreign policy news conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, President-elect Donald Trump described the recent ousting of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as an “unfriendly takeover” orchestrated by Turkey. Trump’s comments came weeks before he is set to reassume the presidency on January 20, 2025, offering a glimpse into his foreign policy outlook for his upcoming term.
Trump praised Turkey’s strategic maneuver, stating, “I think Turkey is very smart… Turkey did an unfriendly takeover, without a lot of lives being lost. I can say that Assad was a butcher, what he did to children.” This statement reflects Trump’s view on the Assad regime’s actions and his recognition of Turkey’s influence in the region. The ouster of Assad followed a rapid offensive by rebel groups, notably Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), with backing from Ankara, which has long opposed Assad’s rule.
During the conference, Trump also touched on other international issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, hinting at potential direct negotiations with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He emphasized the need for a swift end to the conflict, stating, “We gotta stop it. It’s carnage.”
On domestic fronts, Trump discussed a variety of topics from drone sightings in the US to his stance on vaccine mandates and upcoming economic policies like tariffs. His approach to these matters suggests a continuation of his “America First” policy, focusing on diplomacy while maintaining a hardline stance on certain issues.
The news conference highlighted Trump’s intention to engage actively with international leaders to address global conflicts while also signaling his priorities for domestic policy in his second term. This event marks a significant moment as the world watches how his policies will evolve with the changing geopolitical landscape.
