“With His Syria Gamble, Trump Opens a Door,” Writes Fred Hof

Last week’s historic meeting of US President Donald Trump and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, following an announcement that the US would lift sanctions on Syria, opens a new door, writes Senior Fellow at Bard Center for Civic Engagement Fred Hof for Al Majalla. “These developments open the door to Syria’s stabilisation and reconstruction as a state at peace with its neighbours in partnership with Washington. Whether anyone passes through that door remains, however, an open question,” he writes. Hof lays out at least three reasons why this is a “risky move.” Firstly, al-Sharaa’s regime is largely composed of people once affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Secondly, the ongoing instability of Syria’s armed forces makes the future of Syrian leadership uncertain. Thirdly, Israel’s continuing military strikes on Syria complicate the road to reconstruction. “The risks associated with President Trump's opening to Syria will only be magnified if his sanctions statement and his meeting with President al-Sharaa turn out to be empty gestures.” Ideally, Hof asserts,Trump and his national security team will stay engaged and keep the door open.

Post Date: 05-20-2025