US troops will remain in Syria after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad to continue the fight against Islamic State militants, according to a senior White House official. The official emphasized that the troops are not a bargaining chip and have been committed to the mission for over a decade. The US sees its military presence as a hedge against further instability in Syria, but it remains uncertain how the new rulers will view the US presence. The Biden administration is in contact with the incoming team of President-elect Donald Trump regarding Syria.