Key Takeaways
- •The U.S. repealed Caesar sanctions, but Congress expects conditions to be met by President al-Sharaa, including military integration and minority protection.
- •Ms. Nadine Maenza warned that genocide could occur in Syria within four years without the right U.S. policy, stressing the urgency of protecting vulnerable communities.
- •Representative Perry (R-PA) showed a graphic video of violence against minorities, pressing Ms. Maenza on President al-Sharaa's willingness to protect them given his Islamist background.
- •Republicans and Democrats generally agreed on the need for President al-Sharaa to protect ethnic and religious minorities and ensure inclusive governance in Syria.
- •Witnesses recommended reopening the U.S. embassy, maintaining U.S. troop presence, and vigilantly monitoring the January 30th integration agreement's implementation.
Read the full transcript
Starting at $350/mo
- Full hearing transcripts
- Speaker timestamps with video verification
- Organization & competitor mentions
- Same-day delivery
- Personalized summaries
30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Hearing Analysis
Overview
The House Foreign Affairs Committee convened on February 10, 2026, for a hearing titled "Syria at a Crossroads: U.S. Policy Challenges Post-Assad." Chaired by Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL-21), the session sought to evaluate the progress of the Syrian interim government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, fourteen months after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The committee examined whether the new administration in Damascus is meeting the conditions set by Congress following the repeal of the Caesar Sanctions, specifically regarding the protection of ethnic and religious minorities, the integration of security forces, and the permanent defeat of ISIS and Iranian influence.
Key Testimony
The hearing featured testimony from a panel of experts: the Honorable James Jeffrey and Mr. Andrew Tabler of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Ms. Nadine Maenza, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF); and Dr. Mara Karlin of Johns Hopkins University and the Brookings Institution. Ambassador Jeffrey characterized Syria as the most critical front in stabilizing the Middle East following the regional conflicts involving Iran and its proxies. He argued that while the U.S. should support the new state, it must maintain a small troop presence to ensure the defeat of ISIS and provide leverage to ensure Damascus adheres to international requirements. Mr. Tabler noted that the Trump administration’s "good cop, selectively bad cop" approach—combining top-down engagement with the threat of renewed sanctions—has successfully diminished Iran’s presence but warned that the transition from a minority-led autocracy to a Sunni-majority government remains fragile and prone to sectarian fragmentation.
A significant portion of the testimony focused on the "January 30th Agreement" between the Damascus government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ms. Maenza provided harrowing accounts of violence against minority groups, including Kurds, Druze, and Alawites. She cited reports of beheadings, torture, and executions carried out by elements of the Syrian security forces, which include former Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters and Turkish-backed militias. Maenza warned that without a mechanism to monitor and enforce the integration deal, the inclusive governance models built in northeast Syria would be destroyed. Dr. Karlin emphasized the economic desperation of the country, noting that 90 percent of Syrians live in poverty and that reconstruction will require over $200 billion. She advocated for reopening the U.S. Embassy in Damascus to provide better ground-level intelligence and monitoring.
Overview
Policy proposals discussed during the hearing included the "Save the Kurds Act" and a potential designation of Syria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) regarding religious freedom. Witnesses and members also debated the necessity of a formal Security Sector Reform (SSR) program, led by the Pentagon, to professionalize the Syrian military as it integrates various armed factions. Dr. Karlin specifically recommended that the State Department explore remaining stabilization resources to fill the vacuum left by the dismantling of USAID.
Partisan Dynamics
Partisan dynamics were evident, particularly regarding the role of U.S. foreign assistance. Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY-5) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA-32) criticized the administration’s elimination of USAID, arguing that the loss of stabilization and demining tools has crippled U.S. influence and humanitarian efforts. Rep. Sherman asserted that the lack of health programs could lead to millions of deaths from preventable diseases. Conversely, Chairman Mast defended the decision, citing specific instances of waste, fraud, and the diversion of $10 million in food aid to Al-Qaeda fighters under the previous administration. Despite these disagreements, there was a bipartisan consensus on the need for vigilance regarding President al-Sharaa’s Al-Qaeda past and the requirement that he prove his commitment to a pluralistic Syria.
Policy Proposals
Notable exchanges occurred when Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA-10) presented graphic video evidence of atrocities allegedly committed by Syrian security forces against minorities, challenging the notion that the new government is a reliable partner. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) expressed deep concern over the security of ISIS detainees, noting that while CENTCOM successfully moved 7,000 fighters to Iraq, the status of others released during the transition remains a "nightmare scenario" for national security. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2) highlighted the historic nature of President al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House and emphasized the importance of removing Russian bases at Hmeimim and Tartus.
Overview
The hearing concluded with a focus on upcoming deadlines and next steps. Under the conditional repeal of the Caesar Act, the President is required to submit a report to Congress within 30 days certifying whether the Syrian government has made progress in providing security for minorities and removing foreign fighters from senior positions. Members indicated they would use this report to determine if sanctions should be reimposed. The committee also signaled it would closely monitor the implementation of the January 30th integration agreement and the ongoing security coordination between Syria and Israel. Organizations mentioned as key stakeholders in the transition included the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the United Nations, and various NGOs such as Catholic Relief Services and the Shai Fund. Industry impacts are expected primarily in the defense, security, and international development sectors as Syria attempts to rebuild its infrastructure and professionalize its military.
Transcript
[Gavel sounds.] Committee on Foreign Affairs will come to order. I'd ask that everybody rise, join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Read the full transcript
Starting at $350/mo
- Full hearing transcripts
- Speaker timestamps with video verification
- Organization & competitor mentions
- Same-day delivery
- Personalized summaries
30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Not ready to subscribe?
Get a free daily digest with hearing summaries ranked by relevance.
Already have an account? Log in
