Babel: Translating the Middle East Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future
Mar 20, 2025
Nicolas Pelham, a seasoned Middle East correspondent for The Economist, dives deep into the complex character of Ahmed al-Sharaa, exploring his chameleon-like career and his role in Syria's power dynamics. Pelham discusses Sharaa's surprising rise within jihadist circles and contrasts his soft-spoken demeanor with his grim history. Joining the conversation, regional analyst Ninar Fawal highlights the implications of Sharaa's approach, the challenges of U.S. sanctions, and the regional powers' tangled calculations toward Syria's future.
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Chameleon Leader Who Craves Power
- Ahmed al-Sharaa has repeatedly reinvented himself to seize and retain power across jihadi networks and Syrian politics.
- Nicolas Pelham concludes the single constant is his ambition for power by any means necessary.
Survived Interrogation By Posing As Iraqi
- Pelham recounts Sharaa convincing Syrian and American interrogators he was Iraqi to survive detention in Mosul.
- That skill let him build ties with ISIS leaders and later betray multiple jihadi groups to climb power ranks.
Persona Versus Reputation Gap
- Pelham found a mismatch between Sharaa's reputation as a charismatic recruiter and the awkward, soft-spoken man he met.
- This raises doubts about how Sharaa inspired mass suicide attacks despite appearing unconvincing in person.