INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) has embarked on a controversial diplomatic campaign to
desperate attempt to stabilize Syria's collapsing economy and shattered society
However, Sharaa's actions reveal his leadership's weakness and represent a humiliating capitulation, especially his willingness to engage
with Israel and court U.S
President Donald Trump in the face of ongoing Israeli airstrikes.The severe economic situation in Syria, which is made worse by American
sanctions that cut off Damascus from international financial systems, is the basis of Sharaa's approaches to Trump
In keeping with Trump's business-minded image, his plan for a Trump Tower in Damascus is a symbolic act that shows Syria is receptive to
the campaign as a bid for a "business deal for the future of his country," which could encompass energy exploitation, cooperation against
Iran, and engagement with Israel
Bass emphasized that al-Sharaa wants peace with his neighbors and sees a personal connection with Trump, noting both leaders have survived
basic infrastructure is in disarray, highlights the gap between Sharaa's goals and Syrians' needs.Contentious engagement with Israel amid
ongoing airstrikesSharaa's efforts to defuse the tension with Israel are still very contentious, particularly in light of Israel's ongoing
airstrikes inside Syria, including near the presidential palace
These attacks expose the weakness of Sharaa's position, even though Israel presents them as steps to defend the Druze community and combat
Sharaa acknowledged indirect de-escalation talks with Israel mediated through the United Arab Emirates.Bass claimed that Sharaa facilitated
conversations that might have led to face-to-face discussions
However, Israel's ongoing airstrikes imply that these diplomatic attempts were unsuccessful
By holding talks while being bombarded, Sharaa runs the risk of coming across as weak, which would allow Israel to set the terms and show
how vulnerable Syria is to outside pressure.Crucially, by putting external approval ahead of internal unity, Sharaa's policies have degraded
Syria.His legitimacy is complicated by his history as an al-Qaeda-affiliated U.S.-designated terrorist, and his shift to Western and Israeli
engagement alienates some Syrians, especially those who have penalized, pillaged, and occupied parts of their land and continue to attack
Sharaa's credibility has been further damaged by the U.S.'s assessment that Damascus has not gone far enough in meeting sanctions relief
Washington's emphasis on counterterrorism, which is demonstrated by the participation of a top counterterrorism official in recent
discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani
Therefore, Sharaa is forced to make a series of compromises that reduce Syria's negotiating leverage.Security challenges and risks of
fragmentationFurthermore, the context of Sharaa's overtures is Israeli incursions and sectarian violence, neither of which he has adequately
Israel's unilateral strikes and the Druze's opposition to disarmament demands in Jaramana and Sweida demonstrate their incapacity to protect
or unite Syria's diverse communities.Sharaa risks further fragmentation by entrusting Syria's security to a U.S
administration that lacks a cohesive Syria policy by requesting Trump's intervention to "sort this relationship out" with Israel.Sharaa's
suggestions to Israel and Trump represent a practical but demeaning survival tactic
In the face of Israeli airstrikes and internal turmoil, Sharaa's policies actively undermine Syria's sovereignty in addition to failing to
This article first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times
