Donald Trump was inaugurated as America’s 47th president last week in what has been dubbed ‘the greatest political comeback’ in US history. In his inaugural address, he called for expanding American territory, the first time a US president has done so in 100 years. Is this the dawn of a new American imperialism? For his part, Con Coughlin looks at the US president’s strength-through-peace approach. In it, he says Trump is no fan of war but will use force if necessary.

And Houssam Itani pens a piece titled In the Rotunda and out of the cold, America 2.0 is inaugurated. In it, he says: “A line-up of tech titans shows a new world order being sworn in. With no opposition either in politics, media, or industry, an unencumbered Donald Trump is busy shaping things.”

For his part, Bryn Haworth asks the question: Is apartheid South Africa to blame for Big Tech politics?  In it, he says, “To answer that question, it is necessary to go all the way back to PayPal's founders, and the suspiciously large contingent of White South Africans included in their number.”

Switching to Syria, Ibrahim Hamidi interviews Syria’s interim defence minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, who details the military plan to oust Assad. In the wide-ranging interview, he also lays out his vision for the country’s future as he works to build a new army. His message to the Syrian people is that “the army is your army—a force dedicated to defending the country and protecting you, not an instrument of humiliation.”

For his part, Majed Kayali says Syria and Lebanon show change is possible if the stars align. In his piece, he says, “People power helped unseat Assad and Hezbollah but were not enough on their own. It took a moment of opportunity, with the US and Israel finally deciding once and for all to curb Iranian influence.”

And in his first piece for Al Majalla, Giorgio Cafiero pens a piece titled Stakeholders vie for oil and gas control in a post-Assad Syria. In it, he says: “Control over Syria's oil and gas reserves comes with major economic and political benefits. Both Israel and Türkiye will be lobbying the US to sway events in their respective favours.”

Meanwhile, Anastasia Moran says It’s now or never for US engagement in Syria. She argues that maintaining the status quo of economic isolation will only punish ordinary Syrians. “US sanctions relief and a broader license for engagement could give oxygen to Syria's struggling economy and enable postwar reconstruction in a country where most sectors are in ruins, from agriculture to electricity,” she says.

And on to Gaza, we profile Trump’s Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff, who is credited with securing the ceasefire deal by getting tough on Netanyahu. Learn more about the real estate mogul and Trump’s longtime friend on Al Majalla.

Writing from the ground in Gaza, Salem Al-Rayes writes: “Palestinians rejoiced when the news broke that a ceasefire was finally reached, but many didn't get the chance to celebrate with their loved ones who Israel killed before the deal took hold. As Palestinians are finally allowed to return to their homes, many will find nothing—or no one—to go back to.” For his part, Houssam Marouf, also on the ground, looks at the healing power of music as Palestinians sing songs of resistance and steadfastness from their displacement camps.

And last but not least, Areej Jamal pays tribute to David Lynch, cinema’s last great surrealist, after his recent passing. She says, “The American director pushed cinematic experimentation to its limits and, in so doing, created deep connections with many of his viewers.”