This is CBS Eye on the World.

Here's John Batchelor.

Syria, darkness visible, more than a decade.

Now in the hands of unknown actors, none of whom are elected,

one of whom is charismatic to the point of having a nom de guerre

when he was al-Qaeda, when he flirted and was ISIS for a few hours. And since then, he's been the

head of an organization, we'll call HTS, in Idlib province, brooking no challenge to his authority, a murderous organization, HTS,

once it was known as the Nusra Front, that it renamed itself, as a man named Al Jalani has renamed

himself. However, that's the game you play if you wander into Syria.

And I welcome John Bolton, former National Security Advisor, former ambassador of the United Nations,

because his argument in Washington Examiner is very persuasive that this is an opportunity for the United States,

not a defeat.

The fact that Syria possesses the Russian forces on a Russian warm water base for Russia for its fleet and Iran forces, many of Iran forces,

both their militia and we believe their IRGC, and other bad actors all gathered in Syria, not to forget the Hezbollah.

And what is to be done?

John, a very good evening to you.

Mr. Rubio is the designated Secretary of State.

And it looks to be that there are certain foreign officers from other countries traveling to Damascus to meet with Al Jalani, the Nomb de Garre of the man in charge, we believe, of HTS.

Is that a wise thing for states to recognize HTS?

And is the United States in a position under the Trump administration,

after the 20th, to recognize HTS's boss as the legitimate ruler of Syria?

Good evening to you, John.

...