11/12/2025

From wanted terrorist to statesman: Trump hosts Syria's al-Sharaa at the White House

In a move that no one could have seen coming a year ago, President Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa - formerly on Washington’s list of wanted terrorists - at the White House this week. Thanos Davelis is joined by Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and expert on the Middle East, as we look into al-Sharaa’s transformation and the message this meeting sends about US priorities in the region.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Syria’s President Meets Trump at White House for First Time

Syria to join US-led coalition to defeat IS group after Trump meeting

Pivotal U.S. Summit Could Help Mend a Fractured Syria

Power link’s European shield

Turkey demands more than 2,000 years in jail for popular Istanbul mayor