内容摘要：. The two countries last week signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s

. The two countries last week signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s

He vowed to rid the country of Iranian influence and Iran-backed armed groups such as the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. He promised an inclusive, representative government that would allow the country’s many ethnic and religious groups to live in peace.Washington lifted the terror designation weeks after he took power, and he was embraced by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, whose de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, hosted Wednesday’s meeting with Trump.

But the difficulties have been daunting.Fourteen years of war left large areas in ruins and, along with the sanctions, devastated the economy. An estimatedlives in poverty. Assad’s rule and the civil war also left deep fissures between the country’s Sunni minority and the Alawite minority from which Assad hailed, and which benefited from his rule. Those rifts have proven tough to heal.

Al-Sharaa formed a transitional government that gave some positions to minorities but was dominated by his inner circle.later broadened al-Sharaa’s powers and said Islamic law would remain at the heart of legislation for a five-year interim period. Al-Sharaa argued that the measures were needed to stabilize the country, while many critics viewed it as a power grab.

“It appears that many of the steps taken have been rushed and performative rather than offering genuine meaningful change in Syria,” said Lara Nelson, policy director at the Syrian research and policy group Etana. “There are concerns about authoritarian consolidation.”

The biggest test for al-Sharaa came in early March, when the country witnessed itsCORRECTS TO NEVINE - Enas Fathi Salout poses for a photo with her young daughter Nevine, who was recently sent back to Gaza after receiving medical treatment in Jordan, at their tent in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

CORRECTS TO NEVINE - Enas Fathi Salout poses for a photo with her young daughter Nevine, who was recently sent back to Gaza after receiving medical treatment in Jordan, at their tent in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)Daqa’s daughter was among 17 Palestinian children who were recently returned to Gaza with their caregivers after receiving medical treatment in Jordan. Rights groups warn that forcing the children to go back to a war zone is a possible violation of international law. It also raises doubts about whether the young patients can regain their health in a place where medical care is scarce and

are an everyday threat.The children are trapped between