Return to Damascus: Obama Will Appoint Ambassador

The World

The Obama administration announced yesterday that the president will appoint a U.S. Ambassador to Syria. The U.S. has not had an official presence in Damascus since the Bush administration yanked its ambassador in 2005 after the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The move appears to show how much Obama wants Syria’s cooperation on a host of issues from Iran to Iraq to a Mideast peace deal. The Takeaway talks to Andrew Tabler, a Syria expert with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Less than .05% of listeners will donate. Can we count on you?

Our coverage reaches millions each week, but only a small fraction of listeners contribute to sustain our program. We still need 224 more people to donate $100 or $10/monthly to unlock our $67,000 match. Will you help us get there today?