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Trump exhibits an unwavering fixation on the Syrian leader

Trump expresses praise for Syria's leader

In Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump conferred with Syrian interim head Ahmed al-Sharaa
In Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump conferred with Syrian interim head Ahmed al-Sharaa

Trump extols Syria's leader in passionate terms - Trump exhibits an unwavering fixation on the Syrian leader

Title: Donald Trump's Game-Changing 'Gushing' Encounter with Syria's Interim Leader Ahmed al-Shaar

  • ~ 3 MinRead

In a surprise move, US President Donald Trump recently had a face-to-face meeting with Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Shaar, who was once a controversial jihadist. Trump, who spoke brimming with enthusiasm, described the meeting as "terrific" and hailed al-Shaar as a "charming, young leader" with a "tough past." This marked the first meeting between heads of state of the two nations in 25 years.

The last personal meeting between the two occurred in the year 2000 when Bill Clinton met with Hafiz al-Assad, the father of the current Syrian ruler, Bashar al-Assad.

A "Historical" Encounter with a "Strong" President

Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs christened their half-hour chat with Trump and al-Shaar in Riyadh as "historic." The day before, Trump had publicly lifted the decades-long US sanctions against Syria.

On his flight to Qatar aboard Air Force One, Trump further hailed the former jihadist as a "robust" leader with "qualities of a warrior." The HTS militia, headed by al-Shaar, gained control after over 13 years of Syria's civil war in December 2025. While once affiliated with Al-Qaeda, HTS has since disavowed ties with the terror network responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

Trump's Demands for Syria-Israel Normalization and Palestinian Deportation

According to the White House, Trump urged al-Shaar to normalize Syria's relationship with Israel and expel Palestinian "terrorists." He also called on Syria to seize control of detention camps housing Islamic State militants in northeastern Syria, currently controlled by Kurdish fighters.

The meeting also included Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated via video link as per the official Turkish news agency Anadolu.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussions revolved around "strategic cooperation" to combat terrorism efforts, but remained tight-lipped about the prospect of normalizing relations with Israel.

Despite initial consent, Trump admitted Syria still has "a lot of work to do" to finalize the Abraham Accord, a peace treaty for normalizing relations with Israel.

A Warm Reception in Syria

The lifting of US sanctions announced by Trump ignited street celebrations in Syria, with people proclaiming it as a "turning point" in their journey towards prosperity. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated that it would ensure "economic stability and genuine reconstruction" after years of devastating war.

During a meeting with leaders of the Gulf region, Trump commented that this development would provide Syria with a "solid foundation" for reconstruction, acknowledging the complex task ahead.

There's a growing push for reconciliation between the US and Syria, partially driven by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, despite Israel's reservations regarding the new Syrian leadership.

In late February 2025, the EU partially suspended its sanctions against Syria, subject to the protection of minorities by the new regime and the prevention of foreign officials from occupying senior positions. While the new Syrian government claims it intends to protect minorities, fighting against religious minorities like Alawites and Druze continues, resulting in numerous casualties.

Trump's Middle East tour primarily focuses on economic goals, with the US striking a multi-billion-dollar defense deal with Saudi Arabia and securing an aircraft order worth $200 billion from Qatar's airlines to Boeing, marking the manufacturer's biggest deal ever.

However, Trump's move to accept a luxury jet from Qatar as a gift has sparked accusations of conflicts of interest back home.

[1] Middle East Monitor (2025). "Donald Trump Speaks with Syria's Interim Leader Ahmed al-Shaar." [Online] Available: https://middleeastmonitor.com/2025/05/donald-trump-speaks-with-syria%E2%80%99s-interim-leader-ahmed-al-shaar/

[2] Reuters (2025). "US Lifts Sanctions on Syria, Trump Labels Decision 'Brutal and Crippling'." [Online] Available: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-lifts-sanctions-syria-trump-labels-decision-brutal-crippling-2025-05-13/

[3] Al Jazeera (2025). "Syria's Road to Reconstruction: The Necessary Steps." [Online] Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/3/24/syria%E2%80%99s-road-to-reconstruction-the-necessary-steps

[4] CNN (2025). "White House Clarifies US Stance on Normalizing Relations with Syria." [Online] Available: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/16/politics/white-house-us-syria-relations/index.html

  1. Following his meeting with Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Shaar, Donald Trump praised al-Shaar as a "robust" leader and a "charming, young leader" with a "tough past," marking a significant moment in the realms of politics and general news.
  2. In the wake of the removal of US sanctions against Syria, Trump claimed that this decision would provide Syria with a "solid foundation" for reconstruction, which could potentially lead to strategic cooperation between the US, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries in combating terrorism efforts.

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