A senior delegation of US diplomats has arrived in Syria to speak directly to the new Islamist-led rulers, hoping to encourage a moderate, inclusive path and to seek information on missing Americans. It is the first formal US diplomatic mission to Damascus since the early days of the brutal civil war that broke out in 2011 and culminated in a surprise lightning offensive that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad this month. The diplomats will meet representatives of victorious group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – which is designated a terrorist group by Washington – as well as activists, civil society and