RASC News Agency: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has cautioned Syrian rebels against following the Taliban’s trajectory, urging them to establish a moderate, inclusive government to avoid the severe international isolation experienced by Afghanistan’s ruling regime. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Wednesday, December 18, Blinken highlighted the Taliban’s failed attempt to present a moderate image after their 2021 takeover of Afghanistan. “Initially, the Taliban sought to project a more moderate stance or at least appeared to but their true extremist nature quickly surfaced. As a result, they remain tragically and profoundly isolated on the global stage,” Blinken said.
Addressing Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies in Syria, Blinken emphasized the importance of learning from the Taliban’s failures. “If you are an emerging power in Syria and wish to avoid such isolation, it is imperative to take concrete actions that foster national progress,” he stated. He urged the rebels to form a non-sectarian government that upholds the rights of minorities and embraces inclusivity. Earlier this month, HTS and allied rebel factions swiftly overthrew the government of Bashar al-Assad, advancing from Aleppo and forming an interim administration led by Al-Bashir. Despite this development, concerns linger over the leadership of Abu Mohammad al-Julani, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, and fears that Syria could replicate the Taliban’s oppressive governance model.
Al-Julani, however, has dismissed these concerns, asserting that Syria’s trajectory will differ fundamentally from Afghanistan’s. “We do not aim to turn Syria into another Afghanistan, nor do we intend to establish a government resembling the Taliban’s regime,” he declared. Highlighting the stark differences between the two nations, al-Julani stated, “Afghanistan is a tribal society, while Syria is home to diverse traditions and perspectives. Moreover, we firmly support women’s education.” The Taliban, following their return to power in Afghanistan, implemented a rigid, mono-ethnic, one-party system, systematically dismantling citizens’ rights, particularly those of women and girls. Their governance has drawn widespread condemnation and led to international ostracism.
Blinken’s remarks serve as a warning to the Syrian rebels, underscoring the critical need for inclusivity, minority protection, and moderation to secure international legitimacy and avoid repeating the Taliban’s catastrophic isolation.
