For more than a decade, Syria was cast into political isolation by the Arab world and the broader international community. Following President Bashar Assad’s violent crackdown on protests during the Arab Spring in 2011, the Arab League suspended Syria’s membership, and both Western and regional powers imposed crippling sanctions. Yet, Assad’s regime endured, bolstered by military and financial support from Russia and Iran. Multiple attempts to unseat him, whether through diplomatic efforts or military interventions, failed. However, by 2023, Assad secured Syria’s reentry into the Arab League, signaling a shift in regional diplomacy.

Despite his prolonged grip on power, Assad’s rule came to an abrupt end late last year when Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a militant group, launched a swift and unexpected offensive. The collapse of his regime stunned international observers and set Syria on a new, uncertain trajectory. The political vacuum was filled by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who assumed leadership as the interim president of the Syrian Arab Republic. Since taking office, Al-Sharaa has worked diligently to reposition Syria within the Arab world through a series of high-profile diplomatic visits.

Al-Sharaa wasted no time in courting the region’s most influential powers. His first official visit was to Riyadh, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The choice was strategic, as Saudi Arabia’s economic clout and diplomatic influence make it a key player in Syria’s reconstruction. The Kingdom, having shifted its regional priorities towards de-escalation and stability, expressed willingness to support Syria’s reintegration efforts under its new leadership.

Qatar, a longstanding critic of the Assad regime, was among the first nations to acknowledge Al-Sharaa’s leadership. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to Damascus........

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