Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's whirlwind international diplomacy tour has garnered significant global goodwill, but the real test lies in translating this support into tangible results for the Syrian people. With 21 public international trips under his belt since becoming president, Sharaa has made a name for himself as a shrewd diplomat, earning the respect of world leaders and bolstering Syria's reputation on the global stage.
The latest display of unity from the UN Security Council, with all 15 members sending envoys to Damascus to mark the anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, is a remarkable moment in the country's long and tumultuous history. The visit acknowledges Syria's potential role in bringing stability to the Middle East and underscores the international community's interest in supporting Sharaa's efforts.
However, it remains to be seen whether this goodwill will translate into meaningful change for the Syrian people. Despite numerous pledges of investment from Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia's promise of over $6 billion, Syria's economic future remains uncertain. The country's central bank admits that it does not even know its true GDP, highlighting the daunting task ahead.
Sharaa faces significant external pressures, particularly from Israel and Turkey, which are keen to undermine his efforts and exploit Syria's instability for their own interests. The ongoing conflict with Israel has resulted in nearly 1,000 airstrikes on Syrian territory, including the capital city, while Turkey's policy towards the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remains a major point of contention.
In this delicate balancing act, Sharaa has gained unlikely support from Donald Trump, who has promised to visit Damascus soon. Their meetings have been marked by a warm and informal tone, with Trump downplaying Sharaa's controversial past and emphasizing the importance of achieving peace in the Middle East. However, Trump's own views on the region are far from clear, and his willingness to intervene in Syria remains uncertain.
As Sharaa navigates this treacherous landscape, he must walk a fine line between pleasing external actors and pursuing his own vision for Syria's future. The success of his presidency will depend on his ability to balance competing interests and forge a path towards stability, unity, and prosperity for the Syrian people.
The latest display of unity from the UN Security Council, with all 15 members sending envoys to Damascus to mark the anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, is a remarkable moment in the country's long and tumultuous history. The visit acknowledges Syria's potential role in bringing stability to the Middle East and underscores the international community's interest in supporting Sharaa's efforts.
However, it remains to be seen whether this goodwill will translate into meaningful change for the Syrian people. Despite numerous pledges of investment from Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia's promise of over $6 billion, Syria's economic future remains uncertain. The country's central bank admits that it does not even know its true GDP, highlighting the daunting task ahead.
Sharaa faces significant external pressures, particularly from Israel and Turkey, which are keen to undermine his efforts and exploit Syria's instability for their own interests. The ongoing conflict with Israel has resulted in nearly 1,000 airstrikes on Syrian territory, including the capital city, while Turkey's policy towards the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remains a major point of contention.
In this delicate balancing act, Sharaa has gained unlikely support from Donald Trump, who has promised to visit Damascus soon. Their meetings have been marked by a warm and informal tone, with Trump downplaying Sharaa's controversial past and emphasizing the importance of achieving peace in the Middle East. However, Trump's own views on the region are far from clear, and his willingness to intervene in Syria remains uncertain.
As Sharaa navigates this treacherous landscape, he must walk a fine line between pleasing external actors and pursuing his own vision for Syria's future. The success of his presidency will depend on his ability to balance competing interests and forge a path towards stability, unity, and prosperity for the Syrian people.