He once fought the US as a designated terrorist. Now he’s Syria’s president—and Trump’s surprise partner in peace

US President Donald Trump met Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh. This marked the first direct engagement between the two nations' leaders in twenty-five years. Trump promised sanctions relief. Al-Sharaa was once linked to al-Qaida. The meeting sparked celebration in Syria. It also caused unease among US allies like Israel. The move signals a controversial pivot in US strategy.