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.

Bear caught on camera perched atop New Mexico utility pole before reportedly suffering fatal electrocution

Teachers who once dated and share child arrested after classroom argument spiraled into violence: police

Jack Smith hit with criminal referral as GOP moves testimony fight toward prosecution

Trump salutes ‘great heroes’ as he attends dignified transfer of US service members killed in Jordan, Iraq

Ethiopian Immigrant Arrested After Execution of 3 Rental Workers – Felt He Was Being Discriminated Against

Judge questions whether Hegseth’s testosterone plan undermines transgender troops ban

Newsom turns to Hunter Biden’s high-powered ex-lawyer as federal scrutiny closes in on his family, allies

Fox News Star Crushes Lindsey Graham’s Sister, Other Contenders in South Carolina Senate Poll

Trump gives emotional tribute to fallen Army Lt Tyler Feehan after flying grieving family on Air Force One

Musk Pledges $100 Million to ‘Historically Accurate’ Version of ‘The Odyssey’ with Mel Gibson as Director

Chaos erupts as House passes $1.15T defense bill with Israel provision: ‘Stop stoking Jew hatred’

AOC surges past Buttigieg, leaves Harris in the dust in key 2028 battleground poll

Mamdani Gets a Reality Check from His Lawyers After Vow to Arrest Netanyahu

Court records detail Tate brothers’ alleged rape of three women

Horrific: Elderly Woman Stabbed to Death in Random Daylight Knife Attack at California Mall

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.