War on the Rocks: “As Assad Turns to Syria’s Southwest, Washington Faces a Choice”

Out today, I have a new piece for War on the Rocks that’s a companion to our Crisis Group report on Syria’s southwestern de-escalation. At War on the Rocks, I focus on the United States’ role in the de-escalation agreement and how U.S. policy on Syria broadly has frequently undercut the deal – but why the southwest still matters and deserves an urgent U.S. response:

https://warontherocks.com/2018/06/as-assad-turns-to-syrias-southwest-washington-faces-a-choice/

Southwestern Syria is vital to the security of two of America’s closest regional allies, Israel and Jordan. The southwest merits U.S. attention and effort, on the area’s own terms.

A wide-open Syrian military offensive on the south would be disastrous for its Syrian residents, first and foremost, but also dangerous and worse for America’s regional allies. There may still be time for a negotiated alternative that spares needless bloodshed, prevents the south’s communities and social fabric from being further shredded, and helps safeguard U.S. allies. But on their own, Jordan and Israel likely can’t broker much more than “de-confliction” of an offensive – if there’s going to be a better deal, America needs to act.