https://arab.news/8r5fk
The last year has been pivotal for Middle Eastern security in several meaningful ways. It has witnessed several crises and breakthroughs: Syria topped the list, but there were also key developments in Gaza, the West Bank, Iran, Yemen and Sudan. The reverberations from these hot spots are likely to continue into 2026.
Syria witnessed the most profound transformation in its recent history following the fall of the Assad regime after decades of a ruthless dictatorship, which turned the country into a narco-state, a haven for terrorists and a vassal for Iran. All that changed thanks to Syria’s new leader, Ahmad Al-Sharaa.
When US President Donald Trump met Al-Sharaa in Riyadh in May, at the behest of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump announced the lifting of sanctions against Syria. The two clicked. They met again in September in New York and at the White House in November, each time Trump heaping praise on the young leader, which is remarkable considering that, until recently, the US had a bounty on his head as a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda, America’s nemesis.
His redemption was complete in the eyes of Washington. But that message escaped Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel, which launched hundreds of attacks against Syria with the clear intent of destabilizing the new government. Syria’s efforts to integrate into the regional and international orders as a normal state will contribute significantly to the Middle East’s security and stability, and eventually its prosperity.
