Blinken testifies to Congress on Syria, Afghan aid before trip to Jordan, Turkey
The US secretary of state urged lawmakers not to deprioritize US aid to Afghans, defended the US withdrawal in 2021 and outlined US priorities in Syria post-Assad.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified to US lawmakers Wednesday before boarding a plane to Jordan for a round of one-on-one talks with leaders in what could be his final visit to the region.
Republicans called the top US diplomat to testify to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken also fielded questions on the Biden administration’s strategy in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime and eleventh-hour efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
On whether Syria could descend into chaos if terrorist groups gain control of the country — newly liberated from decades of oppression under President Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafiz al-Assad, before him — Blinken said, “The coming days, the coming weeks will be critical to that.”
Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) also asked if the secretary is confident that the Islamic rebel groups that overthrew Assad would protect Christians and women.
