Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Rise: A New Syria or a Familiar Nightmare?
By TheTrendingPeople.com Staff | Updated: May 16, 2025
In a move that stunned the international diplomatic community, former terrorist leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known by his former nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 14. Just six months ago, the U.S. had a $10 million bounty on his head. Now, the man once dubbed one of the most dangerous extremists in the Middle East is being welcomed by world leaders—and being hailed as a statesman.
What has changed, and what lies ahead for Syria under al-Sharaa's rule? Is the global rehabilitation of a former jihadist warlord a harbinger of peace—or the beginning of a more insidious chapter for Syria?
From Extremist to Emir: The Evolution of Ahmed al-Sharaa
Born in Syria’s Golan Heights, Ahmed al-Sharaa rose to prominence in the early 2000s as a militant with al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), the brutal group that later evolved into ISIS. In 2012, at the height of Syria’s civil war, he founded Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, later rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to distance itself from its terrorist roots.
Over time, al-Sharaa positioned himself as a more pragmatic Islamist leader, gradually consolidating power in northern Syria and rebranding HTS from an extremist militia into a quasi-political entity. By December 2024, he had orchestrated the fall of Damascus and overthrown the Assad regime, emerging as Syria’s de facto ruler.
Diplomatic Triumphs and Regional Recognition
Since seizing power, al-Sharaa has embarked on a remarkable international charm offensive. His meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Qatar’s Emir in Doha, and now U.S. President Trump in Riyadh, signal a shift in how the world views Syria’s new leadership.
The role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in brokering the Trump-Sharaa meeting was critical. For Riyadh, a stable Syria—no matter who leads it—is key to regional balance and the containment of Iranian influence.
Moreover, with Türkiye's longstanding support and potential reconstruction deals with Arab monarchies, al-Sharaa is building a diplomatic and financial scaffolding that could lift Syria out of isolation.
The End of Sanctions: Opportunity or Moral Compromise?
Perhaps the most symbolic moment of this transformation came when the U.S. lifted sanctions on Syria just days before the Riyadh meeting. The decision opens Syria’s economy to international investments, especially in energy, construction, and telecom.
Sharaa has wasted no time. He has invited American companies to invest in Syria’s oil and gas sector and promised a new era of reconstruction, infrastructure development, and job creation. Billions of dollars in aid and investment may soon flow into Syria.
But this opportunity raises uncomfortable questions: Is the international community rewarding extremism? Has real reform occurred, or is this merely a public relations overhaul of a jihadist past?
Governance Under HTS: A Mixed and Troubling Picture
Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised inclusivity, women's rights, and protection for religious and ethnic minorities. But reports from within Syria tell a different story.
Since HTS captured power in Damascus, violence against minority communities has increased. In March, hundreds of Alawites in Latakia were reportedly killed by HTS-linked gunmen. The Druze community in southern Syria has suffered a string of brutal attacks, which community leaders have called a "genocidal campaign."
Kurdish leaders in northeastern Syria have rejected Sharaa's centralised Islamist governance, calling for a decentralised and democratic system. The region remains volatile, with targeted killings and abductions on the rise.
These developments cast doubt on al-Sharaa’s promises of inclusivity. If the pattern of targeted sectarian violence continues, the international community may be forced to reassess its position.
A Fragile Path Ahead: Stability or Civil War 2.0?
While Syria’s economy may finally see some relief, the country’s internal stability is far from guaranteed. Islamist militias allied with or opposing HTS continue to operate with impunity in different parts of the country. If Sharaa fails to disband these armed groups and build an inclusive political framework, Syria risks sliding back into chaos.
The fate of Syria hinges on several key questions:
- Will Ahmed al-Sharaa genuinely break from his militant past?
- Can HTS evolve into a legitimate governing entity without returning to authoritarian or sectarian rule?
- Will Syria adopt a constitution that protects all its citizens, regardless of faith, gender, or ethnicity?
If these questions are not addressed, Syria may follow in the footsteps of Libya or Afghanistan—nations where revolutionary victories quickly devolved into endless conflict.
A Global Gamble
The world is watching a man with a deeply controversial past take the reins of a nation long ravaged by civil war, dictatorship, and foreign interventions. His transformation from a “most wanted terrorist” to a head of state may be one of the most extraordinary political reinventions in modern history.
But reinvention must be matched by reform. Recognition by world powers may bring Ahmed al-Sharaa international legitimacy, but the real test will be how he governs at home.
The road ahead for Syria is filled with both promise and peril. The country stands at a crossroads—either it will emerge as a functional, stable state or become yet another cautionary tale of unmet potential and broken promises.
For now, all eyes are on Damascus—and on the man who was once the face of terror, but now wears the robes of power.