The delegation included Barbara Leaf, the State Department’s top Middle East official, Daniel Rubinstein, a veteran diplomat from Middle East who is responsible for engagement in Syria, and Roger Carstens, the president’s special envoy for hostage affairs. This is the first time the United States has sent a delegation to Syria in several years.

Several opposition groups, but primarily the US-designated foreign terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al Sham, succeeded in overthrowing the Assad regime, in power for more than 50 years, earlier this month.

HTS leader Ahmed al Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al Golani, shared moderate views on how they hope to govern, including calling for Syrian unity, the protection of minorities and the dissolution of rebel factions. However, the United States has expressed doubts that the group which has since severed ties with al-Qaeda has completely changed its ideology.

“There are no guarantees at all. We have seen too many times that one dictator can be replaced by another,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Foreign Affairs Interview Podcast Wednesday. “So it’s a difficult situation, but we almost certainly know that without our commitment, without our leadership, things will happen this way. We have a chance, and the Syrian people have a chance, if the countries involved, including the United States, work to move things in the right direction. »

American officials are considering write off HTS as a foreign terrorist organization, but they are waiting to see if it is truly a reformed organization that is no longer engaged in terrorism or is simply waiting until it is able to implement its ideology.

The Secretary of State has the power to revoke an FTO designation, although this usually comes after lengthy deliberations and is fraught with possible political implications if the group is still engaged in the acts that prompted the initial designation.

Carstens is leading the government’s efforts to secure the release of Americans legally considered “wrongfully detained” abroad. His office secured the release of dozens of Americans during his tenure from Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela.

American journalist Austin Tice disappeared in Syria a dozen years ago. His whereabouts are unknown, but his family believes he is still alive and that the fall of the Assad regime is an opportunity to find him.

At the same time, the United States is also concerned about the possibility that ISIS could use the instability and power vacuum to rebuild itself. US forces have carried out several rounds of airstrikes in Syria since the fall of Assad earlier this month.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

US Central Command forces carried out an airstrike in Dayr al Zawr province on Thursday, targeting and killing ISIS leader Abu Yusif. A second unnamed ISIS member was also killed in the attack, according to US Central Command.

The Pentagon recognized As of Thursday, there are currently about 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria on the mission to defeat ISIS, far more than the 900 figure publicly announced for months.