In a significant diplomatic move, senior U.S. diplomats have arrived in Syria for the first time in over a decade, marking a reengagement with the country following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The delegation, including a top State Department official and a hostage negotiator, is set to meet with representatives of the ruling militias, specifically the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has been labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed that U.S. officials are in direct contact with the new Syrian rulers, emphasizing the importance of discussing critical issues, including the destruction of chemical weapons. This diplomatic outreach comes amid ongoing discussions related to hostage situations, including the case of American journalist Austin Tice.