Worldcrunch
Ahmed al-Sharaa is the first Syrian president to make an official visit to the United States, but more importantly, he is the first former member of Al Qaeda to enter the White House. It marks Donald Trump’s bold bet on the Saudi-led Sunni consolidation in the Middle East.
As he launches the unprecedented attacks against Iran, much seems to be going Netanyahu’s way, from the decimation of both Hamas and Hezbollah leaders to the toppling of the Assad regime and softening of Gulf states. But a closer look shows a much more ambiguous picture across the region.
The meeting between Trump and Sharaa marked a pivotal moment not only for Syria but for the broader U.S. worldview. But the future of Syria is still very much up for grabs, as events since the historic handshake are already showing.
Donald Trump surprised everyone by meeting Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian president, a former jihadist. It’s all about Trump’s gut and what Saudi Crown Prince MBS has planned for the region’s future.
Just weeks after the massacres targeting the Alawite community, Druze populations are now being attacked by armed groups — threatening the fragile stability of Syria’s post-Assad transition.
Janurary 13 – January 19, 2025
Syria’s new education minister, Nazir al-Qadri, may have quietly revealed the true intention of the new government, replacing the generic word “law” with “Sharia,” Islamic law. This and other changes to school curricula appear to be happening after the government has denied such changes.
The refusal of Syrian transition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to shake hands with the German minister sparked controversy. However, Europeans, who fear a resurgence of ISIS if Syria plunges into chaos, have a vested interest in the success of this transition, despite their reservations.
Al-Sharaa has surprised many with his openness to dialogue after a past linked to al-Qaeda. He represents a complex model that embodies the transformation of Syria since the beginning of the revolution in 2011.