Morgan Ortagus, appointed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as Deputy Envoy to the Middle East, stressed the urgent need to protect Syrian Kurds and prevent the resurgence of ISIS. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to a Syrian-led political transition. Both officials emphasized peace, stability, and counterterrorism efforts, underlining their coordinated approach to addressing Syria’s instability and promoting long-term solutions in the Middle East.
Ortagus Stresses Kurdish Protection and ISIS Threat
Morgan Ortagus, a veteran diplomat and former State Department spokesperson, has been named Deputy Presidential Envoy to the Middle East. In her new role, she has made it clear that the protection of Syrian Kurds and the prevention of ISIS’s revival are her top priorities. She expressed concerns about the potential for ISIS to exploit the vacuum left by the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and rebel advances in Syria.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Ortagus warned that the current instability could allow ISIS to reemerge if the situation is not carefully managed. “The most significant threat from Syria is that the new vacuum will be filled by a resurgence of ISIS,” she stated. She emphasized that U.S. leadership is essential to ensure Kurdish forces are protected and that terrorists do not take advantage of the instability, particularly in prisons housing thousands of ISIS detainees.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who control large parts of northeast Syria, have been crucial U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. They currently hold numerous ISIS militants and their families in detention facilities, making their protection and the containment of ISIS a significant concern.
Ortagus’ Background and Approach to Diplomacy
Ortagus brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously served as a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department during Donald Trump’s first term. In addition to her diplomatic work, she played a pivotal role in advancing normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations.
In a social media post following her appointment, Ortagus expressed gratitude for the chance to serve in this critical position, stating, “It’s an honor to represent my country and contribute to bringing peace and stability to a troubled region.” She also highlighted her commitment to promoting peace in the Middle East through President Trump’s leadership.
Ortagus will work alongside Steve Witkoff, appointed Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, focusing on key issues like counterterrorism, regional partnerships, and the political transition in Syria.
U.S. Commitment to Syrian-Led Political Transition
In tandem with Ortagus’ appointment, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the United States’ ongoing commitment to a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition. Blinken held a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the evolving situation in Syria and the broader Middle East.
In an official statement, the U.S. State Department reiterated its support for a peaceful, inclusive political transition in Syria, emphasizing that it must be led by Syrians and be representative of the Syrian people. Blinken also stressed the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Egypt in addressing regional challenges, including the ongoing instability in Syria.
