The Global Story The rehabilitation of Syria’s ex-jihadist president
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Oct 1, 2025 Orla Guerin, a BBC senior international correspondent with extensive Middle East reporting experience, shares her insights from Damascus on Syria's new president Ahmed al-Sharaa. They discuss his controversial past as an al-Qaeda fighter and his red-carpet reception at the UN. Orla explores al-Sharaa's governance priorities, including attracting investors and managing sanctions. She evaluates the legitimacy of upcoming elections and warns of potential cronyism. The conversation highlights the delicate balance of international interests and Syria's uncertain path toward democracy.
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Rapid International Rehabilitation
- Ahmed al-Sharaa moved from an al-Qaeda-linked militant to a polished international leader very quickly.
- His UN reception signalled fast international rehabilitation and broad legitimacy gains.
Public Celebration In Damascus
- Orla watched al-Sharaa's UN speech broadcast on a big screen in Damascus where people stopped to watch and fireworks went off.
- A young woman told Orla her father had never seen Syria represented like that before.
From Iraq Fighter To Syrian Power Broker
- Al-Sharaa's radicalization followed regional upheavals like 9/11 and the Iraq war, and he fought in Iraq for seven years.
- He returned to Syria and founded Jabhat al-Nusra, consolidating a powerful militant base in Idlib.