Kathrine Frich
Trump also announced the lifting of longstanding U.S. economic sanctions on Syria
Trump also announced the lifting of longstanding U.S. economic sanctions on Syria.
A Red Carpet Welcome for a Controversial Figure
During a high-stakes summit in Riyadh, President Donald Trump stunned allies and critics alike by openly praising Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former terrorist warlord turned interim Syrian president.
Speaking after a meeting with Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump described the ex-fighter as a “young, attractive guy” and a “tough guy” with a “very strong past.”
Who Is Ahmed al-Sharaa?
Sharaa’s journey to political power is extraordinary and deeply controversial.
Once linked to al-Qaeda, he was captured by U.S. forces in Iraq and held in custody for years.
At one point, the U.S. placed a £7.5 million bounty on his head. In 2024, he played a key role in toppling Bashar al-Assad’s regime and has since assumed interim control of Syria.
A Major Policy Reversal
Trump also announced the lifting of longstanding U.S. economic sanctions on Syria, originally imposed in 2011.
The move is likely to trigger backlash in Washington and among U.S. allies, especially given Sharaa’s militant history and Syria’s ongoing tensions with Israel.
Israel Alarmed by Trump’s Embrace of Sharaa
Trump’s warm words for Sharaa have already strained relations with Israel.
Officials there continue to view the Syrian leader as a major security threat and have issued firm warnings over his record.
Despite this, Trump remained upbeat, telling reporters he encouraged Sharaa to work toward normalisation with Israel:
“I told him, ‘I hope you’re going to join once you’re straightened out,’ and he said yes. But they have a lot of work to do.”
Demands for Deportations and Peace Talks
Trump reportedly pressed Sharaa to expel Palestinian militants and eject foreign fighters from Syria.
The U.S. President is attempting to position Sharaa as a regional stabiliser, a shift critics say ignores his violent past and risks legitimising former extremists without meaningful reform.
Erdogan, MBS Join Trump in High-Stakes Video Meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined the meeting via video link, and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince co-hosted the event.
Trump later called the summit “great”, despite the potential fallout with NATO allies and growing tensions over human rights concerns.
“We Want to Make a Deal”
Trump also turned his attention to Iran, stating he was open to renewed negotiations but laid out firm preconditions.
“It must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars, and permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” he said.
The statement marks a renewed focus on a familiar Trump-era policy goal: isolating Iran while building ties with controversial regional leaders.
A £300 Million “Flying Palace”
After leaving Riyadh, Trump landed in Qatar, where he was greeted by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Reports suggest Trump is set to receive a lavish gift, a £300 million “flying palace” aircraft to potentially replace Air Force One.
The symbolic offer highlights the scale of trade and diplomatic deals Trump is brokering across the Gulf region.