"Syria is a mess, but is not our friend. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" This is what President-elect Donald J. Trump posted, in all caps, on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 7 as the Assad regime was rapidly collapsing.
The barbaric despot who ruled Syria for decades was driven out by the rebel forces who had mounted a blitzkrieg-like offensive in which they captured Aleppo, Homs and other key cities and seized control of the capital, Damascus.