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The image that would have been impossible to imagine a year ago will be a reality in the next few hours. The American president, Donald Trumpwill receive the interim president of Syria at the White House this Monday, Ahmed Al Sharaaan unprecedented diplomatic milestone between both countries.
The new Syrian leader, brought to power after the overthrow of Bashir Al Asad Last December, he will be received with honors by the Republican, in a scene that reflects the change in the West’s position with the Syrian state.
Al Sharaa, whose capture had aThe $10 million reward offered by the CIA until less than a year ago, he has seen how Washington withdraws its sanctions against his country.
To Trumplas Relations with Syria harbor strategic interests in the Middle Eastbut also the risk of promoting leadership with a jihadist past and whose promise to establish a democracy In the country they have numerous risks.
Last week, the UN Security Council, United States and United Kingdom they withdrew their sanctions against the new leader of the multiethnic country, while the European Union plans to do it soon.
The strategy of Trump is clear. Establishing good relations with Syria, promoting the reconstruction of the country – devastated after 14 years of civil war – and leaving behind the five decades under the command of the Assads is key to strengthen Israel’s securityreconfigure the alliances in the Middle East and cut off the historical russian influence in the Syrian country.
Although Moscow was a key ally for Assad to resist in power during the civil war that broke out during the so-called Arab Spring and for stop the advance of ISIS in the area, Russia still maintains its military presence in Durablewest of Syria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Syrian counterpart, al Shaara, in Moscow.
Reuters
Putinan old ally of Assad (whom he sheltered in Russia after fleeing Syria), met with al Sharaa in mid-October, an image that, together with the one from this Monday in Washington, demonstrates the new era in Damascus’ foreign relations.
Russia He made his position clear in that meeting: he does not want to lose his bases in Syriagiven its importance in guaranteeing Russian influence in the Middle East and the Maghreb. Now, Trump must make a move.
Normalization
In September, Al Sharaa also became the first leader of his country since 1967 in intervening before the United Nations General Assembly.
With your visit to the White Housewill seek to reinforce that image of distancing regarding jihadist extremism, in an act of confidence from Washington regarding the leader.
So far, al Sharaa has offered a picture of stability and promises to respect minorities. However, outbreaks of violence against Druze minorities in the south of the country, resulting in thousands of deaths, threats and extrajudicial executions against groups accused of sympathizing with Assad or being heretics, have threatened this apparent calm.
Trump and al Shara already met in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) last May. Then, the Republican praised his new ally, whom he hopes to incorporate into the Abraham Accords.
These agreements, the great pride of Trump’s first term, represent the normalization of relations between Muslim-majority countries and Israel.
If before these states required the creation of a palestinian state of full guarantees as a condition of relating to Tel Aviv, countries such as Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan or Kazakhstan (the most recent) are already part of this club.
DamascusFor now, it maintains its reticence. Israel occupies part of the south of its territory in the Golan Heights since 1967 and has recently invaded or bombed the country citing the need to protect its security.
Military base
He meeting between Trump and al Shara also seeks to advance a security agreement between Syria and Israel and the installation of US forces in a military base near Damascus to guarantee Israeli security.
Washington already has troops in northeast Syria, although the Pentagon announced in April its intention to reduce them by half. Trump’s wish, now, would be to install a air base.
If an agreement is reached for the installation of a US base, this would coexist with military presence Russian in Tartusoperational since 1971 after an agreement between the USSR and Damascus.
Another point to discuss will be fight against the Islamic State (ISIS)old enemy of Assad and ally of al Shara in the past.
The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrackstated on Saturday that Damascus hopes to close an agreement to join the international coalition against jihadists, another of the major objectives of the North American administration at this meeting.