As I entered the Syrian presidential palace, I observed a young man called Ahmed al-Sharaa seated at the two Assads' seat. My realization grew stronger that what had happened in Syria was immense and will leave its mark on the country and perhaps beyond.
Sharaa's tempest did not only uproot an excessively cruel regime that had ruled for over half a century, but it also cast aside mentalities that had prevailed for decades. Observing Sharaa at the presidential palace, one cannot forget that his tempest also extracted Syria from the Axis of Resistance and diminished Iran's role in the region. Sharaa's tempest severed the Tehran-Beirut route that passed through Iraqi and Syrian territories. It was the supply route of “resistance”, rockets and shaping and diminishing of roles.
I don't want to exaggerate the change in Syria, but it really did reshape roles and sizes, starting from Hezbollah in Lebanon to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq.
I noticed that Sharaa's entourage did not ask the people invited to the palace to avoid asking sensitive questions. No subject was off limits, and it quickly became evident that Sharaa would not get flustered when it came to speaking about his past, including his time with al-Qaeda and years spent in Iraqi jail.
He spoke clearly and frankly about complex issues. He said he does not view himself as an extension of jihadist or nationalist movements, which according to him have failed. He also stressed that he was not affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
He expressed his position in practical terms and called on the world to approach Syria through its people and its state, not separate segments and shares. He expressed a readiness to discuss lingering concerns as long as Syria's unity is protected.
Sharaa acknowledged that the developments in Sweida have left a wound and that violations had taken place before that by other parties, including the security forces. He wants to avoid a bloody clash with the Kurds, led by Mazloum Abdi, while questions remain over Türkiye and the United States' interests.
Sharaa was obviously very at ease with the network of international relations he has forged, starting with the regional support embodied by Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, and the new chapter in ties with Washington, which is credited to Riyadh's encouragement.
The visitor realizes that Sharaa is adopting a policy of “Syria First” and that he did not come to power with a view of changing the region or world. He is a man of state, not a leader of a faction. He spoke in detail about the economy and establishing a suitable investment environment. He is banking on a partnership of interests with Iraq and Lebanon through full economic integration, ignoring the wounds inflicted on Syria by the PMF and Hezbollah.
Sharaa spoke of ending problems with Syria's neighbors. He did not rule out striking a security agreement with Israel similar to the 1974 deal. He noted that the Abraham Accords were struck with countries that do not neighbor Israel and that do not have territory occupied by it. The visitor concludes that the new Syria has chosen to “not be a danger to any of its neighbors,” meaning it has chosen to quit the military aspect of the conflict with Israel.
Sharaa is aware that the Syrians have for decades suffered poverty, oppression, injustice, immigration and displacement. A million have died in the war, hundreds of thousands are missing and the “biggest butchers have escaped” justice. Sharaa knows that time eats away at the euphoria of new beginnings. But he is banking on the people, and he does not hesitate in approaching them and listening to their complaints.
Still in his forties, Sharaa has amassed vast experience through the difficulties he has endured. He speaks confidently in practical terms and is banking on establishing a prosperous Syria. He is a strong man with the traits of a prominent regional player should he succeed in navigating the minefield and Syria's problems: an economy in ruin, complex relations between various parties and contradictory advice from various friends.
I do not claim to have the right words to accurately write about the man who surprised Syria and the world. I read and asked a lot about him, but this was the first time that I had the opportunity to listen to him in person. My career has taught me that it is wrong to be charmed by the dreams of the person in power. It taught me that our countries are difficult and full of traps that eat away at the dreams of the ambitious leader who is seeking change. It taught me that the past often pounces and debilitates the future, leaving countries to tread carefully on shattered glass.
Time is a master in changing fates. Hafez al-Assad was deluded in believing that he would remain in power forever. He imposed his rule in Syria by force and thought he could freeze time the way time is frozen for prisoners who languished in Sednaya jail. He thought he would not have to worry when he dies as he would rule Syria from the grave through his sons and their sons. This was nothing unusual. Damascus, like Baghdad, helps its rulers in building these delusions. Perhaps it's because of their location or vast history... but time can be deceptive and treacherous.
I recalled a visit to Baghdad after Saddam Hussein's ouster. I couldn't find a trace of the president, his army, or party, not even his grave. People unleashed their anger on his statues. They erased any traces of him from the palaces, books and local currency. But the man who was quick to send people to their deaths, stood defiantly in front of his own noose. The master of Baghdad does not die in his bed of old age.
Hafez al-Assad was fortunate. The American army did not sweep in to topple him, and the people did not dare to even dream of such a thing. They remember what happened in Hama. Joining the opposition would put anyone at risk of death, no matter how young they are. Even cities like Hama were not spared a deadly ending. Hafez saved Syria from the cycle of coups. The costly stability allowed Syria to become a regional player. Mr. President felt like he owned the country and that he had even invented it. When illness struck, he named his son Bashar as his successor.
For a quarter of a century, Bashar was the one and only ruler. He never believed that the winds blowing from Idlib would soon turn into a hurricane that would lead him to his frosty exile in Russia. Sharaa closed the chapter of both Assads. Bashar opted for exile instead of joining Hafez, Saddam and Moammar and their fate in the palace or the grave.
