Lawmakers Press for Benchmarks on Sanctions Relief, Warn Against Russian and Iranian Footprints; Urge Diplomacy With Turkey
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Summary
Committee members and witnesses debated conditions for sanctions relief and the geostrategic risk of Russian, Iranian and Chinese influence in a post‑Assad Syria, while also warning that Turkey's use of proxy forces complicates stabilization and counterterrorism efforts.
Senators and witnesses at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing debated how to balance incentives to the new Syrian authorities against the risk that Russia, Iran or China will exploit a transitional vacuum.
Chairman Jim Risch said one condition for engagement must be that "Russian and Iran must be permanently ejected from Syria" and warned against allowing Moscow continued access to Mediterranean basing. "Moscow must not have use of its port on the Mediterranean to threaten the United States or our allies," he said.
Witnesses described rapid diplomatic activity between Damascus and outside powers and urged that sanctions relief be tied to specific benchmarks, including the limitation of foreign forces, credible counterterrorism results and protections for minorities and women. Michael Singh recommended "a phased and performance‑based approach to the relief of sanctions" and warned that China and Russia would look for economic and strategic opportunities if the West failed to engage.
Senators also discussed Turkey's role: witnesses and senators said Turkey lacks a near‑term, credible military alternative to replace U.S. counter‑ISIS partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and cautioned that Turkish‑aligned proxy groups have committed abuses that can distract local partners from counterterrorism tasks. Committee members called for intensified U.S. diplomacy with Ankara to reconcile Turkish security concerns with the need to maintain custody of detainees and prevent reconstitution of ISIS.
Several senators connected developments in Syria to wider regional opportunities, notably in Lebanon, where some lawmakers said a new government not aligned with Hezbollah could benefit from prompt international assistance and security support. Lawmakers urged coordination with allies, international financial institutions and regional partners to provide incentives that discourage renewed Russian or Iranian dominance.
No legislation or binding committee action was taken during the hearing; senators requested further briefings and asked witnesses and the administration to supply follow‑up materials on sanctions sequencing and basing agreements.