Trump Lifts Sanctions, Meets Syria’s New President Al-Sharaa

President Donald Trump has made a significant policy shift by initiating talks with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and lifting sanctions on the war-torn country, aiming to integrate Syria more closely with Western powers and reduce its reliance on hostile states. Al-Sharaa, a former jihadist and leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which toppled Assad’s regime, has rebranded himself as a pragmatic figure seeking Western engagement despite his militant past. The decision, influenced by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, offers the United States a chance to exert more influence in Syria and potentially withdraw U.S. forces. However, experts caution that normalizing relations with a government led by a former terrorist group remains risky, as Syria continues to face internal divisions and jihadist threats. The new Syrian government has taken steps such as security operations against Islamic State sleeper cells to demonstrate its commitment to combating extremism. While Trump praised al-Sharaa as a resilient leader with a strong past, skepticism remains about whether these changes mark a lasting transformation or a temporary shift.