Donald Trump Urges Syria to Lead Fight Against Hezbollah, Criticizes Israel’s Strategy

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has publicly criticized Israel’s military approach to its conflict with Hezbollah, urging the Syrian government to assume the primary role in neutralizing the Iran-backed militant group. The statements, issued via his Truth Social platform, signal a potential shift in how the incoming administration views regional security responsibilities in the Middle East. Trump Calls for Syrian Intervention Trump stated that Syria should "take the lead" in the fight against Hezbollah, an organization that has maintained a heavy military presence in Syrian territory for over a decade. The President-elect suggested that Damascus has a sovereign interest in removing foreign militias from its borders, particularly as the Syrian government faces renewed internal pressure from insurgent forces in the north of the country. The rebuke of Israel centered on the duration and human cost of the ongoing hostilities. Trump characterized the situation as a "mess" and indicated that Israel’s current operations have not achieved a definitive conclusion, despite months of intensive aerial and ground campaigns in Lebanon and tactical strikes within Syria. Regional Policy…