States opposed to President Bashar al-Assad will meet soon
France accused Syria and its allies on Wednesday of using the political uncertainty in the United States to launch “total war” against rebel-held areas in the country and said states opposed to President Bashar al-Assad would meet in Paris soon. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is only inaugurated on Jan. 20 and the outgoing administration is not expected to take an active role in Syria so close to leaving office. European diplomats have expressed concern that Assad may feel emboldened by Trump’s vow to build closer ties with Russia, Syria’s ally.