WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The U.S. is trying to prevent the rise of terrorism in the Middle East after the collapse of Syrian Dictator Bashar al-Assad.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with leaders in the region all week to voice support for a peaceful political transition.  Blinken outlined the situation in Syria in stark terms, "..a time of both real promise, but also peril." The promise, he says, of a new government free from dictatorship, after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.  "One that the Syrian people decide for themselves," Blinken said.  The peril: terrorists taking over.  "That includes of course ISIS, which no doubt will seek to regroup," Blinken said.  Blinken met with leaders in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq this week to unify the region in preventing the reemergence of the terrorist group ISIS.  One way the U.S.  is doing that is through airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria in recent days. The U.S. is also keeping about 900 troops stationed in the country.  Blinken encouraged regional leaders to support the Syrian people in forming a new government. The Pentagon says that's in the U.S.'s national security interests.  "...that Syria emerges from this dynamic period as a stable, secure and sovereign state," Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh said.  During a surprise stop in Iraq Friday, Blinken said he's hopeful a new government in Syria can be democratic.  "In a way that, of course, protects all of the minorities in Syria, produces an inclusive nonsectarian government," Blinken said.  Blinken also talked about the Israel-Hamas war while meeting with Turkey's foreign minister. He says he's hopeful a ceasefire and hostage release deal is on the horizon.  "What we've seen in the last couple of weeks are more encouraging signs that that is possible," Blinken said.  Blinken will be in Jordan Saturday as he continues to press for stability in Syria.