President Donald Trump had a meeting with Syria’s newest leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in an attempt to establish a fresh relationship with the country. This marked the first time in decades that a U.S. president had met with the leader of Syria. However, the nature of the relationship between the U.S. and an individual previously labeled an Al-Qaeda terrorist remains uncertain. Sajjan Gohel, the International Security Director at the Asia Pacific Foundation, commented on the unusual situation, noting how individuals once hostile towards the West are now being viewed as potential allies.
Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has been a figure of interest to the U.S. due to his ties with Al-Qaeda’s former Syrian branch and his attempts to merge that faction (referred to as the “Nusrah Front”) with ISIS. He first came to the attention of the U.S. when he was captured in Iraq, where he had pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda during the Iraq insurgency in 2003 and was incarcerated at Abu Ghraib prison. Over the following two decades, he transitioned his allegiances to lead Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which successfully ousted the Assad regime last December. Al-Sharaa’s evolution can be seen in his changing attire, from military gear to business suits, as he now stands alongside prominent figures like Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and President Trump.
The U.S. is now urging Al-Sharaa to acknowledge Israel, repatriate Palestinian militants, expel foreign combatants from Syria, and assist in preventing any resurgence of ISIS in the region. This shift in approach reflects a historical pattern of the U.S. engaging in negotiations with leaders once deemed terrorists or associated with terrorism. Despite these developments, uncertainties persist surrounding the implications of the newfound relationship and the potential outcomes of Al-Sharaa’s leadership in Syria. The White House has yet to provide further insights, leaving room for speculation and differing perspectives on the matter.
