Ahmed al-Sharaa

On Monday, the Syrian president shook hands with Trump at the White House. Speaking to Al Majalla, a former State Department official explains why this is a moment she could have never imagined.

In what could be a historic turning point in US-Syria relations, the new government in Damascus will likely join the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS)

Ahmed al-Sharaa will be the first Syrian president to be welcomed at the White House on Monday. From Nixon to Clinton, Al Majalla looks back at official encounters between the two states since 1945.

Damascus has already taken steps towards this end, but international support will still be vital. It can also draw on relevant elements from Iraq's governing model.

In Moscow, Syria's new president said he wants to restore and redefine relations with Russia—a former foe. But is this a genuine olive branch or a message to Washington?

In a wide-ranging sitdown interview with Al Majalla, AANES Foreign Affairs Chief Ilham Ahmed lays out the lingering points of contention with Damascus and the way forward

Facing a legitimacy crisis both at home and abroad, the new Syrian administration may find that the road to full acceptance and sanctions relief will be a long one

Syria's future will hinge not on speeches delivered to international audiences but on Sharaa's ability to build durable stability and restore trust at home

The combined effect of the shocks to the Assad regime and Hezbollah's operational capacity has been to transform, rather than end, illicit cross-border economies like arms and captagon