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Los Angeles Times
19 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
U.S. envoy doubles down on support for Syria's government and criticizes Israel's intervention
BEIRUT — A U.S. envoy doubled down on Washington's support for Syria's new government, saying Monday there is 'no Plan B' to working with it to unite the country still reeling from years of civil war and wracked by new sectarian violence. In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, Tom Barrack also criticized Israel's recent intervention in Syria, calling it poorly timed and saying it complicated efforts to stabilize the region. Barrack is ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, with a short-term mandate in Lebanon. He spoke in Beirut following more than a week of clashes in Syria's southern province of Sweida between militias of the Druze religious minority and Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes. Syrian government forces intervened, ostensibly to restore order, but ended up siding with the Bedouins before withdrawing under a ceasefire agreement with Druze factions. Hundreds have been killed in the fighting, and some government fighters allegedly shot dead Druze civilians and burned and looted homes. Neighboring Israel intervened last week on behalf of the Druze, who are seen as a loyal minority within Israel and often serve in its military. Israel launched dozens of strikes on convoys of government forces in Sweida and struck the Ministry of Defense headquarters in central Damascus. Over the weekend, Barrack announced a ceasefire between Syria and Israel. Syrian government forces have redeployed in Sweida to halt renewed clashes between the Druze and Bedouins, and civilians from both sides were set to be evacuated Monday. Barrack told the AP that 'the killing, the revenge, the massacres on both sides' are 'intolerable,' but that 'the current government of Syria, in my opinion, has conducted themselves as best they can as a nascent government with very few resources to address the multiplicity of issues that arise in trying to bring a diverse society together.' At a press conference later, he said Syrian authorities 'need to be held accountable' for violations. Regarding Israel's strikes on Syria, Barrack said: 'The United States was not asked, nor did they participate in that decision, nor was it the United States' responsibility in matters that Israel feels is for its own self-defense.' However, he said Israel's intervention 'creates another very confusing chapter' and 'came at a very bad time.' Prior to the violence in Sweida, Israel and Syria had been in talks over security matters, while the Trump administration had been pushing them to move toward full normalization of diplomatic relations. When the latest fighting erupted, 'Israel's view was that south of Damascus was this questionable zone, so that whatever happened militarily in that zone needed to be agreed upon and discussed with them,' Barrack said. 'The new government (in Syria) coming in was not exactly of that belief.' The ceasefire announced Saturday between Syria and Israel is a limited agreement addressing only the conflict in Sweida, he said. It does not address broader issues including Israel's contention that the area south of Damascus should be a demilitarized zone. In the discussions leading up to the ceasefire, Barrack said 'both sides did the best they can' to reach agreement on specific questions related to the movement of Syrian forces and equipment from Damascus to Sweida. 'Whether you accept that Israel can intervene in a sovereign state is a different question,' he said. He suggested that Israel would prefer to see Syria fragmented and divided rather than a strong central state in control of the country. 'Strong nation-states are a threat — especially Arab states are viewed as a threat to Israel,' he said. But in Syria, he said, 'I think all of the the minority communities are smart enough to say, 'We're better off together, centralized.'' Later Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X that Israel's strikes 'were the only way to stop the massacre of the Druze in Syria, who are brothers of our Druze brothers in Israel.' Katz added: 'Whoever criticizes the attacks are not familiar with the facts.' It was not clear if he was responding to Barrack's comments. The violence in Sweida has deepened the distrust of minority religious and ethnic groups in Syria toward the new government in Damascus, which is led by Sunni Muslim former insurgents who unseated longtime autocratic ruler, Bashar Assad in an offensive in December. The attacks on Druze civilians followed the deaths of hundreds of civilians from the Alawite minority, to which Assad belongs, earlier this year in sectarian revenge attacks on the Syrian coast. While interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has promised to protect minorities and punish those who target civilians, many feel his government has not done enough. At the same time, Damascus has been negotiating with the Kurdish forces that control much of northeast Syria to implement an agreement that would merge the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces with the new national army. Barrack, who spoke to SDF leader Mazloum Abdi over the weekend, said he does not believe the violence in Sweida will derail those talks and that there could be a breakthrough 'in the coming weeks.' Neighboring Turkey, which wants to curtail the influence of Kurdish groups along its border and has tense relations with Israel, has offered to provide defense assistance to Syria. Barrack said the U.S. has 'no position' on the prospect of a defense pact between Syria and Turkey. 'It's not in the U.S.'s business or interest to tell any of the surrounding nations with each other what to do,' he said. Barrack's visit to Lebanon came amid domestic and international pressure for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to give up its remaining arsenal after a bruising war with Israel that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement in November. Speaking at a press conference, Barrack said the ceasefire agreement 'didn't work.' Israel has continued to launch near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon that it says are aimed at stopping Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities. Hezbollah has said it will not discuss disarming until Israel stops its strikes and withdraws its forces from all of southern Lebanon. While the U.S. has been pushing for Hezbollah's disarmament, Barrack described the matter as 'internal' to Lebanon. 'There's no consequence, there's no threat, there's no whip, we're here on a voluntary basis trying to usher in a solution,' he said. He added that the U.S. 'can't compel Israel to do anything' when it comes to the ceasefire. Sewell writes for the Associated Press.
The Hill
19 minutes ago
- The Hill
Ford Foundation's outgoing president joins the board of Obama Foundation
Darren Walker's post-Ford Foundation future is starting to take shape, as the outgoing president is now set to join The Obama Foundation's board of directors. The Obama Foundation, the Chicago-based nonprofit of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama focused on encouraging active involvement in democracy through initiatives like the My Brother's Keeper Alliance and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps, announced Monday that Walker would join the board on Nov. 1. 'Darren Walker is an outstanding example of what it means to lead with purpose in philanthropy,' President Obama said in a statement. 'Darren's work to challenge long-held assumptions, stand up to injustice, and build unlikely partnerships aligns perfectly with the mission of the Obama Foundation. His experience and insight will sharpen our thinking and deepen our impact as we help the next generation of leaders change their world for the better.' Walker, 65, who has led the Ford Foundation since 2013 and oversaw major investments in gender equity and disability rights, is one of philanthropy's best-known leaders. He has been one of Rolling Stone's '25 People Shaping the Future' and Time's '100 Most Influential People.' 'Joining The Obama Foundation Board feels like coming home to everything I believe about leadership and change,' Walker said in a statement. 'I believe deeply in the power of individuals to change the world, and I'm honored to work with President and Mrs. Obama to help empower and support the next generation of changemakers.' In addition to his new role at the Obama Foundation, Walker has already been named president of the National Gallery of Art. In September, 'The Idea of America: Reflections on Inequality, Democracy, and the Values We Share,' a collection of his essays, will be published. The Ford Foundation has selected Yale Law School Dean Heather Gerken, a leading expert on constitutional law and democracy, to succeed Darren Walker as its president. Marty Nesbitt, chairman of the Obama Foundation's board of directors, said Walker will help the nonprofit stick to its mission. 'Darren brings a rare combination of visionary thinking and practical know-how that will strengthen our governance and sharpen our impact,' he said. 'His deep experience leading through complexity and bringing diverse voices to the table will be an invaluable asset as we guide the foundation into its next chapter and open the Obama Presidential Center next year.' Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
The Hill
19 minutes ago
- The Hill
Evacuations begin in Syria's Sweida as days of deadly clashes ease
BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria (AP) — Syria 's government on Monday started evacuating Bedouin families trapped inside the southern city of Sweida, where deadly fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin fighters has largely stopped as a ceasefire takes told. Last week's clashes killed hundreds and threatened to unravel Syria's fragile postwar transition. They also led to sectarian attacks against the Druze religious minority, followed by revenge attacks against the Sunni Muslim Bedouins. The U.N. International Organization for Migration said 128,571 people were displaced. Neighboring Israel also launched dozens of airstrikes in Druze-majority Sweida province, targeting government forces who effectively sided with the Bedouins. Syrian state media on Sunday said the government had coordinated with officials in Sweida to bring buses to evacuate some 1,500 Bedouins. Syrian Interior Minister Ahmad al-Dalati told the state-run news agency that the initiative also would allow civilians displaced from Sweida to return. Druze civilians were expected to be evacuated from other areas, but those had not taken place by Monday evening. 'We have imposed a security cordon in the vicinity of Sweida to keep it secure and to stop the fighting there,' al-Dalati told SANA. 'This will preserve the path that will lead to reconciliation and stability in the province.' Talks were ongoing in Jordan for a long-term truce. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of neighboring Turkey, who has been involved in regional talks for a ceasefire in southern Syria, said 2,500 'lightly armed' government forces will be granted permission to enter Sweida city. Concerns about the government's control Buses filled with Bedouin families were accompanied by Syrian Arab Red Crescent vehicles and ambulances. Ali al-Hawarein, a farmer, was among hundreds bussed out of Sweida to neighboring Daraa province. He called attacks by Druze fighters 'unjustified,' and doubted that the government can keep control. Syrian authorities did not give further details about the evacuation and how it ties into the broader agreement. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that as part of the agreement, Bedouin fighters would have to release Druze women they were holding captive and leave the province. After talks for a hostage swap fell through, the Observatory and activist groups in Sweida reported hearing what they called Israeli airstrikes and helicopters over villages where some skirmishes took place between the Bedouins and Druze militias. Israel's military said it was not aware of any overnight strikes. U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who has been involved in negotiations, said perpetrators of hostilities on both sides must be held to account. 'What's happened is horrible. It's unthinkable,' Barrack said. 'They (Syrian authorities) need to be held accountable, but they also need to be given responsibility' to restore order. Bedouin fighters wait on city's edge Bedouin fighters withdrew from Sweida city Sunday. Alongside tribesmen from other parts of the country, they stood on the outskirts while security forces cordoned off the area. An aid convoy of 32 Red Crescent vehicles entered the city, though a government delegation with another aid convoy was turned away. Displaced people have struggled with securing food and water in the summer heat. Bedouin families that fled into Daraa were packed into abandoned buildings. Most brought only mattresses and clothes. 'Everyone here has brought an entire family or two with them,' said Saif al-Hajj, who fled the western Sweida countryside with a family of 11 to the town of Busra al-Harir. He also brought chickens and ducks but struggled to give them water and bread. 'If I'm thirsty, I can't get water to drink.' Druze who fled the city of Sweida poured into neighboring towns and villages. In the village of Salkha, many were packed into schools and homes. One Druze resident said there wasn't enough food to go around. She spoke on condition of anonymity out of fears for her family's security, saying that a relative was kidnapped by armed men in the village of al-Ta'la while he was working in a store. She said his location is unknown. 'We don't know who took him, if it was government security or Bedouins,' she said. 'But what we're hearing from others is that most of the kidnapping was done by the Bedouins.' Some Druze question the new government Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has tried to appeal to the Druze community while criticizing the factions loyal to spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri who have been involved in the clashes. He promised to hold accountable perpetrators of targeted attacks. Syria's Druze community had largely celebrated the downfall of the Assad family that ended decades of tyrannical rule. While they had concerns about Al-Sharaa's de facto Islamist rule, a large number wanted to approach matters diplomatically. Al-Hijri and his supporters have taken a more confrontational approach with al-Sharaa, contrary to most other influential Druze figures. Critics also note al-Hijri's previous allegiance to Assad. The latest sectarian attacks, however, including the killing of Druze civilians and desecrating photos of religious notables, have made the community more skeptical of al-Sharaa and less optimistic of peaceful coexistence. More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the others live in Lebanon and Israel.
