*A ‘New’ Syria by Dawn Editorial – Summary & Analysis* *Detailed SUMMARY:* The editorial critiques the *US’s rapid embrace* of Syria’s post-Assad regime under interim President *Ahmed al-Sharaa*, a former *Al Qaeda-linked Al Nusra Front* leader once known as *Abu Mohammed al-Jolani* with a *$10 million US bounty* on his head. On May 14, 2025, *President Donald Trump* met Sharaa in *Riyadh* and announced the *lifting of US sanctions* on Syria, a move seen as rewarding Sharaa for ousting *Bashar al-Assad*, a shared *US, European, and Gulf Arab* goal that curbed *Iranian* and *Russian* influence. The editorial highlights *geopolitical hypocrisy*, contrasting the *US’s warm reception* of Sharaa with its continued sanctions on the *Afghan Taliban*, who share similar ideological roots but humiliated the *US* in Afghanistan. *Trump* urged Sharaa to *recognize Israel*, ignoring *Israel’s occupation* of the *Golan Heights* and recent territorial seizures. While lifting sanctions may aid *Syrian civilians*, the editorial questions the *US’s selective rebranding* of former terrorists, noting Sharaa’s ties to *extremist elements*. Recent *Alawi-Druze clashes* and *pro-government fighter conflicts* suggest Syria risks replacing *Assad’s autocracy* with an *extremist state*, despite Sharaa’s *inclusive state promises*. The editorial doubts Damascus’s path to *inclusivity* and *progress* under *US-backed leadership*. *Easy/Short SUMMARY:* The *US* embraced Syria’s new leader *Ahmed al-Sharaa*, ex-*Al Qaeda* militant, by lifting sanctions after his role in toppling *Assad*. *Trump* met Sharaa in *Riyadh*, pushing *Israel ties* but ignoring its *Golan Heights occupation*. The editorial slams *US hypocrisy* in rebranding terrorists, warning of *extremist risks* as *Alawi-Druze clashes* threaten Syria’s *inclusive future*. *SOLUTIONS to the Problem:* 1. *Promote Inclusive Governance* Encourage *Sharaa* to integrate *Alawi, Druze, and minority* leaders into government to prevent sectarian strife. 2. *Monitor Extremist Elements* Establish *UN oversight* to ensure *Sharaa* cuts ties with *Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* extremists. 3. *Address Israeli Occupation* Pressure *Israel* via *UN* to vacate *Golan Heights* and recent Syrian territories for equitable diplomacy. 4. *Support Civilian Recovery* Channel *sanctions relief funds* into *humanitarian aid* and *$400 billion* rebuilding efforts, per *NBC News*.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/syria/trump-syria-sanctions-sharaa-damascus-mohammed-salman-saudi-assad-rcna206691) 5. *Counter US Hypocrisy* Urge *Global South* nations to highlight *US double standards* in forums like *BRICS*. 6. *Strengthen Regional Mediation* Engage *Turkey* and *Saudi Arabia* to mediate *Syrian stability*, leveraging their *sanctions lift* advocacy.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/trumps-big-syria-announcement-surprised-his-own-sanctions-officials-2025-05-14/) 7. *Protect Minority Rights* Enforce *Sharaa’s minority rights promises* through *international observers* to curb *Alawi-Druze violence*. 8. *Streamline Aid Delivery* Simplify *post-sanctions aid flows* to avoid bureaucratic delays, supporting *13 million displaced Syrians*.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/syria/trump-syria-sanctions-sharaa-damascus-mohammed-salman-saudi-assad-rcna206691) 9. *Reform Syrian Constitution* Accelerate *Sharaa’s 3-year constitution plan* to ensure *democratic elections* within *4 years*.[](https://x.com/GordonGChang/status/1920087223073956289) 10. *Global Accountability* Push *ICC* to investigate *Assad-era* and *post-Assad* war crimes for justice and reconciliation. *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures from the Article:* - *Trump* met *Ahmed al-Sharaa* in *Riyadh* on *May 14, 2025*, announcing *US sanctions lift* on Syria. - *Sharaa*, once *Abu Mohammed al-Jolani*, led *Al Nusra Front* with a *$10 million US bounty*. - *Sharaa* ousted *Bashar al-Assad*, reducing *Iranian* and *Russian* influence. - *US* asked *Sharaa* to *recognize Israel*, ignoring *Golan Heights* occupation. - *Afghan Taliban* remain *sanctioned* despite ideological similarity to *Sharaa*. - *Alawi-Druze clashes* and *pro-government fighter conflicts* threaten *extremist state* risk. - *Sharaa* promises an *inclusive state*, but *extremist ties* persist. *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Outside the Article:* - *Assad* was toppled in *December 2024* by *Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* rebels.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-will-remove-us-sanctions-syria-2025-05-13/) - *US sanctions* since *1970s* targeted *Assad’s terrorism support*, worsened by *2011 crackdown*.[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/world/middleeast/syria-economy-trump-sanctions.html) - *Syria’s civil war* killed *300,000*, displaced *13 million*, per *UN* estimates.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/syria/trump-syria-sanctions-sharaa-damascus-mohammed-salman-saudi-assad-rcna206691) - *Sanctions lift* could aid *$400 billion* rebuild, per *NBC News*.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/syria/trump-syria-sanctions-sharaa-damascus-mohammed-salman-saudi-assad-rcna206691) - *Sharaa* severed *Al Qaeda ties* in *2016*, rebranding as *moderate*, per *LiveMint*.[](https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-lifts-us-sanctions-on-syria-heres-all-you-need-to-know-11747181919526.html) - *Israel* conducted *hundreds of airstrikes* in Syria post-*Assad*, per *Washington Post*.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/14/trump-sanctions-syria-damascus/) - *Saudi Arabia* and *Turkey* urged *Trump* to lift sanctions, per *Reuters*.[](https://www.reuters.com/world/trumps-big-syria-announcement-surprised-his-own-sanctions-officials-2025-05-14/) - *Sharaa* met *Macron* in *Paris* for *EU sanctions relief* talks, per *Anadolu Ajansı*.[](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-says-he-will-order-removal-of-all-us-sanctions-on-syria/3566518) *MCQs from the Article:* 1. *Who did Trump meet in Riyadh on May 14, 2025?* A. Bashar al-Assad *B. Ahmed al-Sharaa* C. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani D. Taliban leader 2. *What was the US bounty on Sharaa’s head?* A. $5 million *B. $10 million* C. $15 million D. $20 million 3. *What did Trump ask Sharaa to do?* A. Join NATO *B. Recognize Israel* C. Expel Russian forces D. Hold elections 4. *What group did Sharaa once lead?* A. Islamic State *B. Al Nusra Front* C. Taliban D. Hezbollah 5. *What does the editorial criticize the US for?* A. Ignoring Syria’s economy *B. Rebranding terrorists* C. Supporting Assad D. Sanctioning Taliban *VOCABULARY:* 1. *Embrace* (قبول کرنا) – Warm acceptance or support 2. *Interim* (عبوری) – Temporary or provisional 3. *Bounty* (انعام) – Reward for capturing someone 4. *Geopolitics* (جغرافیائی سیاست) – Politics influenced by geography 5. *Militants* (جنگجو) – Fighters using violence for ideology 6. *Instrumental* (اہم کردار) – Playing a key role 7. *Reversed* (الٹ دیا) – Changed to the opposite 8. *Meted* (دیا گیا) – Distributed or dispensed 9. *Futile* (بے فائدہ) – Useless or ineffective 10. *Rebranding* (نئی شناخت) – Changing public image 11. *Reeks* (بو دینا) – Strongly suggests or implies 12. *Hypocrisy* (منافقت) – Pretending to have virtues one lacks 13. *Autocracy* (آمریت) – Rule by one person with absolute power 14. *Extremist* (انتہا پسند) – Advocating radical views 15. *Confrontations* (تصادم) – Hostile encounters 16. *Inclusive* (جامع) – Including all groups 17. *Sanctions* (پابندیاں) – Penalties to enforce compliance 18. *Vacating* (خالی کرنا) – Leaving or withdrawing from 19. *Sectarian* (فرقہ وارانہ) – Related to religious or ethnic divisions 20. *Confidence* (اعتماد) – Trust or belief in someone --- *📢 Attention Please!* We value your engagement with our summaries. Kindly retain the attribution label for this article to honor the source and effort behind this work. Unauthorized distribution without credit is discouraged. Thank you for your cooperation! 🔍 *⚡ Discover More Summaries & Insights* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely summaries, solutions, and vocabulary from the latest articles. Click to join now! 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) A ‘new’ Syria Editorial Published May 16, 2025 THE American embrace of the post-Assad Syrian regime is complete, with President Donald Trump meeting the Arab state’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday, and announcing that US sanctions against Syria will be lifted. It should be remembered that not too long ago, there was a $10m US bounty on Mr Sharaa’s head, when he was more popularly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the feared head of the Al Qaeda-linked Al Nusra Front. But in geopolitics there are ‘good’ militants and ‘bad’ militants, and to the Americans, the Syrian leader clearly falls in the former category. Mr Sharaa was instrumental in overthrowing Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime, which had long been a shared goal of the Americans, many states in Europe, as well as the Gulf Arabs. This effectively reversed the tide of Iranian and Russian influence in Syria. Therefore, the audience with Mr Trump, and the removal of sanctions, is a reward for the ex-militant’s ‘services’. Contrast this with the treatment meted out to the Afghan Taliban. The hard-line rulers of Kabul remain sanctioned by the US, and unrecognised by the global community. The Taliban are ideologically of similar stock as Ahmed al-Sharaa; but while the latter helped the US and West bring down a geopolitical foe, the former forced the US-led coalition to quit Afghanistan after a futile two-decade nation-building mission. Mr Trump also asked the Syrian ruler to recognise Israel. However, there was no word of Israel vacating Syrian territory it has occupied for decades, including the Golan Heights, and more land it seized after the Assad government fell. It is indeed positive for sanctions to be lifted, and it is hoped that this helps bring relief to the Syrian people. But the selective rebranding and ‘dry-cleaning’ of those once labelled as terrorists by the West reeks of hypocrisy and self-interest. While Mr Sharaa has promised an inclusive state, he himself remains surrounded by extremist elements. Over the past few months, there have been bloody confrontations between pro-government fighters, and members of the Alawi and Druze communities. It would be a shame for the Syrian people if the Assad autocracy were to be replaced by an extremist state. Right now there are few signs that Damascus is on the path of inclusivity and progress, regardless of the newfound confidence the US has in Syria’s current rulers. Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2025