US explores engagement with Syrian rebel groups after Assad's ouster

The Biden administration is exploring ways to engage with Syrian rebel groups following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The U.S. is reaching out to regional partners, including Turkey, to facilitate informal diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in contact with regional leaders, including Turkey's foreign minister. The U.S. has designated the leading rebel faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as a terrorist organization but is still considering communication options. Assad's departure marks a significant shift in the Middle East, ending over 50 years of his family's rule. The U.S. had previously deprioritized Syria amid other global issues but is now reassessing its approach.