Former jihadist wanted by CIA becomes first Syrian leader in White House

Images that would have been unimaginable a year ago will become reality in a few hours. The president of the United States is donald trumpwill host Syria’s interim president at the White House this Monday. ahmed al sharraan unprecedented diplomatic milestone between the two countries.

Syria’s new leader comes to power after overthrow bashir al assad Last December, he received a prestigious reception from the Republican Party in a scene that reflected the West’s changing position on the Syrian state.

The capture of al-Sharah$10 million bounty offered by the CIA He saw it happen less than a year ago. washington lift sanctions against his country;

for playing cards, Relations with Syria lurk strategic interests in the Middle Eastbut also Holy Warrior’s Past and whose commit to establishing democracy They have a lot of risks in this country.

last week, United Nations Security Council, United States and United Kingdom they withdrew sanctions To the new leadership of a multi-ethnic nation, european union We plan to do that soon.

of strategy President Trump’s attitude is clear. The key is to establish good relations with Syria, help rebuild the country devastated by 14 years of civil war, and break free from 50 years of Assad rule. strengthen Israel’s securityReconfigure. Alliance in the Middle East and cut off history Russian influence In the country of Syria.

nevertheless moscow It was a key ally for Assad in resisting power during the civil war that broke out during the so-called Arab Spring. Stop the advance of ISIS In the area, Russia still maintains military presence Tartuswest of Syria.

president putinThe old ally of Assad (who he took shelter in Russia after fleeing Syria) met with al-Sharaa in mid-October, and this image, along with one taken in Washington this Monday, A new era in Damascus’s foreign relations.

Russia He made his position clear at that meeting: he did not want to lose his position. base in syriagiven its importance in guaranteeing Russian influence in the Middle East and Maghreb countries. Now Mr. Trump must act.

standardization

Al-Shara was also appointed in September. First leader of his country since 1967 By intervening before that, United Nations General Assembly.

With your visit, white housetries to strengthen that image. keep your distance Regarding jihadist extremism, as an act of confidence from Washington regarding leadership.

So far, Al-Sharah has provided the following photos: We are committed to stability and respect for minorities. But violence against the Druze minority in the country’s south has erupted, leaving thousands dead, and threats and extrajudicial executions of groups accused of being sympathetic to Assad or heretical threaten this apparent peace.

Trump and al-Shara have already met in Riyadh. (Saudi Arabia) May last year. And Republicans praised the new allies they hope to incorporate into the party. Abraham Accords.

These agreements are a great source of pride in President Trump’s first term. Normalization of relations between Israel and Muslim-majority countries.

Before these states are created, Palestinian state Tel Aviv, full warranty as a condition related to the following countries United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan or Kazakhstan (latest one) is already a member of this club.

damascusFor now it is maintained reluctant. Israel occupies part of its southern territory. golan heights It has recently invaded or bombed the country since 1967, citing a need to protect its security.

military base

he meeting Even between Trump and Al Shara, Security agreement between Syria and Israel and the US military presence Military base near Damascus This is to ensure Israel’s security.

The United States already has troops stationed in northeastern Syria, but the Pentagon announced in April that it intended to cut the number in half. President Trump’s current hopes are air force base.

If an agreement is reached on the establishment of US military bases, this will coexist with military presence Russians of Tartushas been in operation since 1971 after an agreement between the Soviet Union and Damascus.

Another point of contention is Fight against Islamic State (ISIS)Assad’s sworn enemy and past ally of Al Shara.

The US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrackssaid on Saturday that Damascus wants to conclude an agreement to join the United Nations Against Jihadists, one of the North American administration’s main objectives at this meeting.