A recent meeting at the White House has drawn attention due to its unusual nature. President Donald Trump hosted Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the interim president of Syria, who was previously listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist with a $10 million bounty on his head. This meeting took place just two weeks after Al-Sharaa's designation was lifted.

The encounter, described by many as surreal, lasted for an hour and included a private discussion about Syria's future. Al-Sharaa, who once led the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham alliance that helped overthrow Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, was greeted by Trump in the Oval Office. During the meeting, Trump presented Al-Sharaa with a bottle of his own cologne, Trump Victory 45-47, and spritzed it on both Al-Sharaa and his interpreter. He humorously inquired about Al-Sharaa's marital status, joking about the number of wives he might have.

The meeting was part of a broader effort to reshape U.S. relations with Syria. Al-Sharaa has distanced himself from al-Qaida and is focused on stabilizing Syria after years of civil war, which has resulted in approximately 650,000 deaths and created 5.6 million refugees. He aims to establish a unified state with a strong rule of law and a phased democratic constitutional order.

As Al-Sharaa seeks to reopen Syria, he has garnered support from various Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, all of which are interested in reconstruction efforts. Trump's envoy to the region, Tom Barrack, has expressed confidence in Al-Sharaa's leadership, stating, "There is no Plan B for Syria, only integration."

However, the situation is complicated by opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has been critical of Al-Sharaa's provisional government, conducting military operations and supporting a Druze separatist movement in southern Syria. This has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the future of Syrian sovereignty.

As the dynamics in Syria continue to evolve, the implications of this meeting and the potential for U.S. policy shifts remain to be seen. The international community is watching closely as Al-Sharaa attempts to navigate the complex landscape of Syrian politics and foreign relations.