U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is focused on improving regional stability and security by reincorporating Syria into the mainstream “Arab world.” CENTCOM has been concentrating on stemming the flow of foreign fighters over Syria’s border into Iraq by improving security along the Syria-Iraq border and performing periodic technical border assessments.

CENCOM is also concerned by Syrian support of Iranian violent extremist organization proxies and the al-Asad regime’s hosting of Hamas leadership, its support of weapons shipments to Hizballah and its cooperation with Al-Qaida in Iraq operatives.

CENTCOM leaders believe that, unlike Iran, Syria’s motives for these actions probably stem from short-sighted calculations rather than deep-seated ideology. It is possible that, over time, Syria can emerge as a partner in promoting security and stability in the region.