Letter to President Biden on US Public Policy in Syria

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

January 11, 2022

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Further, we remain concerned by reports that the Assad regime manipulated currency exchange

rates to steal at least $100 million in humanitarian aid money over a two year period. As this

Administration works to expand humanitarian access in Assad held territory, including through a

focus on early recovery projects, we ask you to share with us, within 60 days of receipt of this

letter, your strategy to prevent such theft and to ensure U.S. and international aid ends up in the

hands of those that need it most.

Finally, recent reports have shed light on the Syrian regime's significant role in trafficking

captagon. We must deploy our counter-drug trafficking tools in the Syria context to cut off the

regime's access to illicit funds gained through the captagon trade.

It is vitally important that U.S. policy in Syria is consistent with our values.

Secretary Blinken promised that "When Joe Biden is president, we will restore U.S. leadership on

humanitarian issues [in Syria]." While your Administration has secured renewal of the UN

mandate for cross-border delivery of humanitarian aid and expanded stabilization support in areas

liberated from the Islamic State, these efforts merely address symptoms of the underlying conflict

and will ultimately fall flat in the absence of a broader diplomatic strategy to resolve the decade-

long civil war.

Accordingly, we request an interagency briefing, to include National Security Council

participation, on Syria policy moving forward.

Sincerely,

2Kỉnh

JAMES E. RISCH

Ranking Member

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

(Signature)

ROBERT MENENDEZ

Chairman

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

(Signature)

Minkel I. M Earl

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL

Ranking Member

House Foreign Affairs Committee

(Signature)

GREGORY W. MEEKS

Chairman

House Foreign Affairs Committee

(Signature)