The Biden administration has issued another warning to Syria’s neighbors against boosting ties with President Bashar al-Assad, but critics say the administration could be doing more to prevent Damascus’ return to the Arab fold.
On Wednesday, Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed met with Assad in the Syrian capital for the second time since November 2021. Their latest meeting follows Assad’s March 2022 visit to the United Arab Emirates — his first to an Arab country since the Syrian revolution erupted in 2011.