Trump shakes hands with controversial Syrian leader al-Sharaa

In Beirut, Lebanon, on May 15, 2025, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a leader with a controversial past as an al-Qaida fighter, met U.S. President Donald Trump. At this meeting, Trump remarked on al-Sharaa’s potential as a leader and expressed intentions to lift sanctions that had previously been imposed on the government of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was overthrown in December 2024. The meeting was facilitated by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, signaling a shift in international relations within the Middle East. Al-Sharaa’s transformation from an Islamist militant to a national leader reflects the rapid changes in the geopolitical landscape that have occurred over the past few years. With a significant history linked to the al-Qaida insurgency in Iraq and leading the Al Nusra Front in Syria's civil war, al-Sharaa’s leadership marks a dramatic pivot for a nation long isolated from Western influence. The economy of Syria, ravaged by over a decade of civil war, has placed immense pressure on establishing a peaceful and stable environment. Celebrations erupted across the war-torn nation as news of the prospective normalization of relations with the U.S., led by al-Sharaa, emerged. However, the road ahead poses several challenges, including sectarian violence and poverty affecting the majority of its population. As the international community watches closely, the implications of lifting sanctions and moving towards a relationship with al-Sharaa could pave the way for Turkey to strengthen its influence in the region while potentially posing threats to Israel's security and the stability of Iran-backed groups operating in Syria. Trump’s decision could foster either reconciliation or deeper conflict in a region historically marked by unrest and alliances built on shaky grounds.