The long-running regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria has fallen in recent days, leaving Iran without its key ally in the Levant. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL), President-elect Donald Trump's incoming national security adviser, discussed the fallout and implications of the regime's toppling in a recent appearance on Fox News's Special Report, noting that Israel deserves most of the credit for putting Iran on its "backfoot" as well.
"It is good that Assad is gone, but it clearly leaves a vacuum, and our jury is out on this group, [Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS)] and its leader, [Abu Mohammed] al-Jolani, [who] is a declared terrorist. On the one hand, even though he is not so far beheading former Assad regime officials or hanging them from bridges. They do seem to be sitting and talking, which is a very good initial first sign, but President Trump and our team [are] watching very closely," said Rep. Waltz.
Additionally, Rep. Waltz praised the "strong actions" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "took out Hezbollah," which in turn "has put Iran on its backfoot, has put them in a weakened position, coupled with Russia being bogged down in Ukraine," leaving the Assad regime vulnerable.
Host Bret Baier noted President-elect Trump's Truth Social post calling for the United States not to be involved in Syria. Still, he asked if there were concerns about al-Jolani, a former al Qaeda affiliate, becoming the country's effective leader and accessing Assad's chemical weapons.
"Well, look, Bret, President Trump was elected with an overwhelming mandate to not get the United States drug into any more Middle Eastern wars. That does not mean he is not willing to absolutely step in. Remember when Assad used chemical weapons years ago, and [Trump] did take decisive action? Fortunately, Israel, again, with Bibi's leadership, has taken down some of those sites, and we are watching them closely, and President Trump has no problem taking decisive action if the American homeland is threatened in any way," Waltz continued.
Baier replied that current national security adviser Jake Sullivan said their actions helped weaken both Iran and Russia, to which the Florida Congressman disagreed, saying, "I certainly think Iran was emboldened over the last several years, and fortunately, Israel took a strong stand, a pager, and walkie-talkie operation that took out Hezbollah. They persisted in taking down and going into Rafah and taking down Hamas. They have struck back in Syria when Iran was trying to take advantage of that situation, and most of all, have stripped Iran of its air defenses."
"They [Iran] are clearly on the back foot because of Israel's actions going forward. The Biden regime has provided weapons, but they have also tapped the brakes on some weapons as well. So, I think it is a mixed record. Israel deserves a lot of credit for putting Iran on its back foot," Waltz concluded.
