Ahmed al-Sharaa is the current president of Syria, having also ousted the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad with his armed rebel Islamist movement Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). He is also known by his nom de guerre, Mohammed al-Julani.
The meeting with Sharaa symbolizes how the US is getting out of the business of “giving lectures” to others.
Trump also said he is looking at normalizing relations with Sharaa, and says that his Middle East trip doesn't push Israel aside.
In a partial policy shift, the US has eased some sanctions on Syria, allowing humanitarian aid, remittances, and limited civil sector activity.
Trump said he would remove all sanctions, saying they had served an important function, but it was now time for Syria to move forward.
Israel moving away from airstrikes and back into the game of diplomacy could help smooth the way for the Accords to grow.
“Gulf states receive protection from the US. There are American bases, mainly in Qatar, and the Americans protect the Gulf states from Iran. So, the boss is Trump.”
The high-ranking source added that Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani will instead lead the Syrian delegation.
A detente with Israel and US access to Syria's oil and gas are part of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's strategic pitch to try to get face time with U.S. President Donald Trump during the Mideast tour.
Macron’s bet may buy short-term contracts and headlines, but it threatens to poison long-term relations and renew resentment.
If al Sharaa eventually delivers the state that he promises, he will have proved himself the most remarkable leader to have emerged in the Arab world.
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