Why the U.S. and the West are rushing to Syria?

Syria has suddenly become the centre of geopolitics for the U.S. and the West. The Middle-East countries, who, by way of physical proximity, are already linked to Syria’s political development and hence cannot overlook the new situation.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already met several leaders in the Middle-East, and also trying hard to influence the new rulers in Syria. Britain rushed a diplomatic team to Syria that met leader of the moment Sharaa, to align itself with the new rulers of Syria. After the over-throw of autocrat ruler Bashar al-Assad, the rebels from Sharaa's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group have taken over the rule. Sharaa is the rebel chief formerly known by Abu Mohammed al-Golani. He has suddenly become the darling of many nations.

France and Germany too have rushed their diplomats to meet the Syrian rebel rulers. France will reopen the embassy in Syrian capital Damascus. 

The question is: Why is Syria so important for the U.S. and the West in the changed situation? What do the nations want out of it?

While each nation may have its specific interest in Syria, two immediate goals for the U.S. and the West appear prominent. First, a geopolitical goal: to keep Russia and Iran out for ever, which are out of the regional politics now after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Russia is perceived as a threat for the European Union security, particularly due to the Ukraine war, where Russia has been gaining territories and expanding itself. Syria served many purposes for Russia, as well as for its ally Iran. A weakened Russia and Iran is what the West, as well as the U.S. want to see; and the vacant Syria has now offered for them a geopolitical opportunity. 

Second, the U.S. and the West, including Israel, would not like to see a chaotic Syria. Syria is historically important too, not just from the point of view of geopolitics now. Moreover, if a nation’s rule is shaped to their interest, they stand to gain, whatever maybe.