Ilhan Omar: U.S. Strategy in Syria Taking ‘Cues’ from Russia, Turkey, Israel

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategy to resolve the Syrian conflict is taking “cues” from Russia, Turkey, and Israel, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) argued during a House panel hearing Wednesday without acknowledging that the three countries stand on opposing sides of the more than eight-year-old war.

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Omar told Ambassador James Jeffrey, the president’s special envoy for Syria engagement who was invited to testify:

It seems that the particular conflict in Syria is being birthed out of a need for the people to have freedom and to actualize democracy and I’m concerned that most of our cues right now [are] being taken from Russia, and Turkey, and Israel, and so I’m wondering if that’s sort of a counter message to what we say we are interested in achieving in Syria.

Jeffrey responded by saying the United Nations, backed by the United States, is committed to giving the Syrian people democracy “through free and fair elections monitored by the U.N., including the diaspora.”

“I believe Democracy should not be given, it should be earned by the people, and we should be in partnership with them,” the Minnesota Democrat followed up.

Omar suggested that Russia, Turkey, and Israel are influencing Trump’s Syrian strategy even though these countries do not coincide in their strategy with each other, making it impossible to appease all three.

Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD

Indian national accused of Arizona girlfriend’s murder entered US on student visa: federal sources

Spencer Pratt: Communists aren’t just ‘evil’ they’re ’embarrassingly cringe’

AOC freezes her eggs: ‘I think it’s bada**’

RNC chair says Talarico’s GOP crossover hopes are a ‘pipe dream’: ‘Nobody is going to follow him’

‘Outsider’ House primary winner sets sights on flipping longtime GOP seat back from Dems: ‘Ready for a change’

Max Miller locked in as Republican nominee after Ohio ballot deadline passes without withdrawal

Vice President Vance says migrant communities show ‘clear pattern’ in federal fraud as investigations widen

Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Blocking ICE Access to Several Locations

DSA Governor Candidate Hires OnlyFans Model as Deputy Campaign Manager

Tennessee Candidate Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Down Flock Cameras

University of Michigan Goes Full Participation Trophy, Will Hide Grades for Student ‘Mental Health’

Florida man accused of killing nurse mom who helped him despite repeated arrests for threatening her: sheriff

Miss North Carolina USA pageant producers fire back after winner says she lost title over faith

Welcome to Y’all Street: America’s Newest Stock Exchange Opens in Texas

Russia supports the Iranian-allied regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey backs the opposition. Although Moscow and Ankara have embarked on joint efforts to end the conflict, Turkey remains resolute in its support for Assad opposition forces.

The Russia-Turkey agreement late last year to push al-Qaeda-linked jihadis out of Syria’s Idlib region failed, with Moscow blaming Ankara for the lack of success. Now, the jihadis control most of Idlib and some of the surrounding areas — considered the last remaining rebel stronghold in Syria.

Israel has targeted assets on Syrian soil linked to Assad’s ally Iran. Iran considers Israel, which shares a border with Syria, to be its mortal enemy.

Democrat leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have defended Omar from bipartisan criticism over repeated antisemitic remarks.

In his written testimony, Ambassador Jeffrey condemned Russia and Iran for enabling Assad, noting that the Syrian regime has been able to re-conquer 60 percent of the war-ravaged country with the help of Moscow, Tehran, and Iranian proxies like Hezbollah.