Al-Sharaa promises a new Syria free of its ‘wretched past’

Geoff Bennett:

A remarkable moment today at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. A man who just one year ago had a U.S. bounty on his head strode to the center of the world stage as the president of Syria. For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian leader spoke to the assemble dignitaries. And this time, it's Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who fought the Assad regime for more than a decade and before that fought the Americans in Iraq.

Ali Rogin has more.

Ali Rogin:

The shadowy militant commander the U.S. once hunted across Syria, now that nation's leader, making history as he took the stage at the U.N. General Assembly.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Syrian President:

Syria has transformed from an exporter of crisis to an opportunity for peace for Syria and the region.

Ali Rogin:

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa called for a lifting of all sanctions and promised a new Syria free of its wretched past.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa:

Syria today is rebuilding itself through establishing a new state, building institutions and laws that guarantee the rights of all without exception. While turning the page of a wretched past, we are determined to restore Syria's glory, dignity and honor.

Ali Rogin:

It's a stunning shift for a man who until recently was designated a terrorist by the U.S. and U.N. Al-Sharaa has traded his fatigues for tailored suits and this week embraced the global stage in New York City, meeting world leaders including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

He also attended political forums…

Gen. David Petraeus (Ret.), Former CIA Director: Salaam alaikum.

Ali Rogin:

Even sitting down for a conversation with the former U.S. general who 20 years ago had overseen his arrest and imprisonment in Iraq.

David Petraeus led American forces during the so-called surge of 2007, when Iraq's civil war lit the region afire.

Gen. David Petraeus:

The fact is that we were on different sides when I was commanding the surge in Iraq. You were, of course, detained by U.S. forces for some five years, including, again, when I was the four-star there. And here you are now as the president of Syria.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa (through translator):

It is good that at a time we were in the combat and then we now move to the discourse. We moved from war to discourse. We cannot judge the past based on the rules of today and cannot judge today based on the rules of the past.

Ali Rogin:

He was later released and fought in Syria under the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, and helped lead an al-Qaida offshoot before forming a Syrian insurgent group known by the acronym HTS that fought the Bashar al-Assad regime and governed the rebel control parts of Northwest Syria.

Late last year, HTS and other rebel groups toppled Assad in a lightning offensive that ended decades of dictatorship and years of brutal civil war. As interim president, Sharaa has crafted an image of a moderate inclusive leader with a vision to transform Syria and bring it back into the international fold.

In May, the U.S. lifted decades of sanctions, when al-Sharaa had a historic meeting with President Donald Trump, who later told the press he was impressed by him.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: Very good, young, attractive guy, tough guy, with a strong past.

Ali Rogin:

But the road ahead for Syria is paved with challenges, a fragile peace held by divisive factions that trigger violence against Syrian minorities and decades of historic conflict with Israel, which has completely seized the Syrian Golan Heights and currently occupies part of Southern Syria.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has bombed Syrian defense infrastructure and continues to attack what it calls terrorist targets, weapons depots, air bases and military installations across Syria. Yesterday, U.S. special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told reporters that Syria and Israel are close to concluding a de-escalation agreement.

But al-Sharaa today urged the international community to stand beside Syria against Israeli attacks.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa:

The Israeli strikes and attacks against my country continue, and Israeli policies contradict the international-supporting position for Syria, which threatens new crises and struggles in our region.

Ali Rogin:

For perspective on al-Sharaa's trip to New York and more broadly on his leadership in Syria, we turn to Ambassador James Jeffrey. He previously served as U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Iraq and was a special representative for Syria engagement during the first Trump administration. He's now a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Ambassador Jeffrey, thank you so much for joining us.

This was a big moment for al-Sharaa. How do you think he did and what stood out to you about not just his speech today, but his whole trip to New York?

James Jeffrey, U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement: I think that, all in all, he was a hit.

His speech was well-delivered and well-received. I think it calmed some people who were concerned, including at least some Israelis and some in Washington and in Congress. And he sketched out a good way forward that the bulk of the international community can accept because it realizes there is no other alternative in Syria and you cannot have a secure Middle East without a stable and secure Syria.

Ali Rogin:

Al-Sharaa called for Congress to remove some sanctions on Syria that it controls. What are the chances of that happening?

James Jeffrey:

Well, that's still a bit up in the air. The Trump administration very strongly has advocated proposed sanctions known as the Caesar sanctions for a Syrian defector who revealed the atrocities under the Assad regime, which, by the way, al-Sharaa correctly focused on today to remind people of the past.

The Caesar sanctions make it very difficult to move money into the country. Congress has to act. Many in Congress are willing to move forward. There is some hesitation. The Trump administration is doing its best, as long as the al-Sharaa government continues to support integration and equality and peace throughout the country.

Ali Rogin:

And President al-Sharaa has also cultivated a seemingly good relationship with President Trump. Is he somebody that the U.S. believes it can work with? And will his connection with President Trump help him?

James Jeffrey:

When I was a Syrian envoy, he was still officially on the terrorist list, but because he was not launching terrorist attacks, we did not use military strikes against him. Rather, we cooperated indirectly with him against the Assad regime and to keep three million displaced people — he mentioned that in his speech — that were under his control in Idlib from fleeing into Turkey, into Europe, and further destabilizing many of our NATO allies.

He was very helpful in that regard. And we were able to work with him then. We are able to work with him now on issues from the Druze in the south in Suwayda to the Kurds in the north, to relations with Turkey, with Israel, and with the Arab states.

Again, it's not perfect, but nobody has an alternative.

Ali Rogin:

And speaking about those domestic dynamics at play, there are many that he is confronting. There are — there's civil strife. There's deep sectarian divisions. The country is rebuilding after a decade-plus of a damaging civil war. Can he manage all those challenges?

James Jeffrey:

What we have seen is some good steps. And he listed them in his speech about investigations and reviews of what happened with sectarian fighting in the south around the Druze areas and elsewhere in Syria, his willingness to invite the U.N. and conduct its own review of the situation.

But he also stressed that Syria has to remain a unified country. And I would underline that too. If it breaks apart, countries all around it will try to find the best security situation for their own interests. That will further push the country into civil war again. Nobody wants that. Nobody wants to see the Iranians and Hezbollah.

Ali Rogin:

On the topic of Israel, al-Sharaa criticized the strikes within his country, but he also said that he's committed to de-escalation. Syria and Israel are involved in U.S.-brokered talks.

Based on the speech, what do you think are the prospects for some sort of security arrangement between the two countries?

James Jeffrey:

I think they're good for several reasons.

First of all, Israel's key concern — Israel has many concerns on Syria and on many other places, as well as we know, for good reason. But their main concern is the Druze minority, a small group in relative terms right along the Israeli border. That can be dealt with relatively easily.

And they're talking about Israel also wants unofficially freedom of maneuver to launch strikes through Southern Syria against Iran if that's needed. That's more difficult. But, nonetheless, al-Sharaa struck the right tone. He had to criticize the many Israeli strikes inside Syria.

But he also underlined the importance of coming to an agreement with Israel on the basis of the 1974 cease-fire agreement with the old Assad regime that preserved peace between Syria and Israel for many years. And that's a very good step.

Ali Rogin:

Ambassador James Jeffrey, thank you so much.

James Jeffrey:

Thank you.