Ahmed al-Sharaa

US military presence in Damascus: Exactly what Syria, and Israel, needs - analysis

An American force in or near Damascus at a strategic site such as an airport could be just the thing Syria needs at the moment.

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, October 15, 2025

US to establish military presence in Damascus under Syria-Israel peace plan

SDF arrests a five-man ISIS terror cell north of Raqqa, November 1, 2025.

Syrian Democratic Forces arrest five ISIS cell members in Raqqa raid

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attend a press conference with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, October 30, 2025.

Merz invites Syrian president to Germany to discuss deportations


Syrian President Sharaa to make first ever visit to White House in coming weeks

It would mark Sharaa's second visit to the United States, following his address to the UN General Assembly in New York in September.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to address the 80th United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 24

Syrian army starts training in Turkey, while Ankara gains influence over Damascus gov't - analysis

Forty-nine Syrians have begun training in Turkey, as part of a new program that will allow Syrian troops to use Turkish military barracks and academies.

Armored personnel carriers stand outside a compound of the Syrian army's new 80th Division in northwest Syria, June 3, 2025.

Syria recognizes Kosovo as Sharaa gov't continues to move towards western alignment - analysis

The recognition comes as President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed the German foreign minister to Damascus. Kosovo has also been connecting with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

Syrian Pres. Ahmed al-Sharaa with Saudi PM Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and Kosovo Pres. Vjosa Osmani.

Syria's Sharaa pitches to investors at Saudi financial summit

Syria’s new president pitches the country as a key trade corridor at Saudi Arabia’s financial summit, aiming for greater foreign investment despite ongoing sanctions.

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 24, 2025.

Russian, Syrian defense ministers talk bilateral cooperation in Moscow

The meeting comes following Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Moscow in mid-October, in which he pledged to honor the agreements between the two countries.

Syria's new defense minister Murhaf Abu Qasra attends an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria January 19, 2025.

Israel exploited Assad govt's fall to impose expansionist, destabilizing project, Syrian FM claims

Syrian FM Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani accused Israel of pursuing expansionist goals and said Moscow aided Assad’s regime, as Syria rebuilds ties with China.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani attends a press conference at the Lebanese foreign ministry, in Beirut, October 10, 2025.

US backs Syria’s new regime, but risks ignoring sectarian violence

BEHIND THE LINES: US special envoy calls for lifting Syria sanctions, but concerns grow over ongoing sectarian violence and the treatment of minority communities under al Sharaa.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh earlier this year.

UK removes terrorism designation for HTS, formerly led by Syria's Ahmed Al-Sharaa

HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate, was proscribed in 2017, meaning that Britain designated it as a terrorist group, making it illegal to support or join it.

 Rebel fighters ride a vehicle, after rebels led by HTS have sought to capitalize on their swift takeover of Aleppo in the north and Hama in west-central Syria by pressing onwards to Homs, in Hama, Syria December 6, 2024.

Syria sends mixed signals on integration of US-backed SDF into security forces - analysis

Damascus and the SDF both have some mixed messages on the path forward with the SDF, although everyone wants to see progress.

A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025.

Why Russia’s Putin and Syria’s Sharaa agreed to meet after a decade of war - analysis

Russia clearly wanted to pivot to work with Sharaa. It likely extended feelers long ago, recognizing HTS as a potential partner, even after a decade of fighting in Syria.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 15, 2025.

Senior Syrian official denies return of Eli Cohen’s remains imminent, negotiations in progress

A senior Syrian official refutes claims that Israeli spy Eli Cohen’s remains will be returned to Israel, but confirms ongoing talks with Israel regarding the matter.

Eli Cohen relaxing in his Damascus residence, 1963.