Desk: U.S. President Donald Trump is back in the headlines — this time, for sharing a cup of tea with a man who once had a $10 million bounty on his head. The unusual tea party took place in Riyadh, and joining Trump was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The third guest? None other than Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a former jihadist commander who once led a war against the United States.
Jolani, currently serving as the interim President of Syria, was formerly the head of al-Nusra Front — the Syrian affiliate of al-Qaeda. In 2013, the U.S. designated him a global terrorist. Once known as a mastermind of bombings, Jolani now appeared alongside Trump, smiling for the cameras.
From Terrorist Leader to Syrian President
Jolani fought against U.S. and Iraqi forces before returning to Syria, where he led an Islamic insurgency against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Six months ago, Jolani drove out Iran-backed militias and overthrew Assad’s government. He then declared himself the interim president of Syria.
The Historic Meeting in Riyadh
The Trump-Jolani meeting took place in Riyadh during Trump’s first Middle East tour of his second term in office. It marked the first face-to-face conversation between a U.S. president and a Syrian head of state in over 25 years.
Sanctions Lifted Ahead of the Meeting
Just a day before this historic encounter, President Trump announced the removal of long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria. The announcement was met with loud applause, including a standing ovation from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. With a smile, Trump remarked, “Oh, I’m doing this for Saudi Arabia.” The move is expected to open the floodgates for economic investments in Syria, particularly from Gulf countries that had previously held back due to American restrictions.
Syria: A Land of War, Hunger, and Ruin
Syria’s economy has been decimated by years of war. According to the World Bank, between 2010 and 2020, the Syrian economy shrank to less than half its size. By 2022, around 69% of the population lived in poverty. The 2023 earthquake only worsened conditions. Now, with sanctions lifted, Gulf nations — led by Saudi Arabia — are ready to invest billions in rebuilding Syria.
This unlikely meeting and policy shift may well redefine the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East — and America’s role in it.