The View from Damascus – Trump and Sharaa in Riyadh: A Meeting That Signals a Geopolitical Earthquake
THE SYRIAN OBSERVER
May 15, 2025
This was the first meeting between a U.S. and Syrian president in 25 years.
This was the first meeting between a U.S. and Syrian president in 25 years.
While the transitional government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa pledges reform and unity, many senior military officials have direct links to past violations.
Damascus is known for its tolerance, but fears persist that the new leadership has Salafist leanings, Lina Sinjab argues in Daraj.
While the lifting of sanctions marks a dramatic breakthrough, the road ahead remains fraught.
What makes this moment unique is not just the shifting tone in Washington, but the rare convergence of interests across political lines.
Shibani confirmed that Syria is actively implementing an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to reintegrate northeastern regions under central government authority.
A 2024 World Bank report estimated Syria’s Captagon economy at up to $5.6 billion annually
Founded in Moscow, the party reportedly aims to pave the way for the creation of an autonomous coastal region under the nominal authority of Damascus.
Hakan Fidan reaffirmed Turkey’s strong support for Syria’s territorial integrity
French-based Syrian legal expert Moatasem al-Kilani told the president national reconciliation “cannot be built on slogans, but on recognition, fairness, and restoring trust.”
During Sharaa’s visit to the Élysée Palace in Paris on Wednesday, Macron criticized Israeli actions in Syria as “unacceptable”.
Azerbaijan’s approach mirrors broader trends in global energy diplomacy, akin to China’s engagement in Africa or Russia’s energy-based influence in Libya, Syria TV writes.
UAE-facilitated dialogue could represent a tentative first step toward deconfliction or even longer-term security arrangements, al-Modon writes.
“Assad’s rule left generations angry and divided. Now, with no real reconciliation, even small sparks ignite violence”, says social counselor Zaid Abu Amin.
According to the French presidency, Macron will “reaffirm France’s support for the construction of a new Syria – a free, stable, and sovereign state that respects all components of Syrian society.”
Shibani’s speech at the UN focused on one key theme: lifting sanctions as a prerequisite for Syrian stability.
What unfolded in Ashrafiyet Sahnaya is the inevitable outcome of a political order that refuses reform and treats pluralism as a threat rather than a strength
Foreign Minister Shibani stressed in New York that the crisis only underscores the need for a political solution grounded in sovereignty and internal consensus.
France has actively mediated between the SDF and the KNC to bridge longstanding divisions and promote a unified Kurdish stance in Syria.
“We advocate for meaningful participation in building a democratic, federal state that safeguards our dignity”, the druze leader said.
