From prisoner to president: Syria’s Al-Sharaa meets U.S. commander in New York

Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 24-09-2025

The political stage in New York saw a remarkable encounter this week, as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa sat down for a discussion with retired U.S. General David Petraeus. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and the Concordia Annual Summit, highlighted the extraordinary transformation of Syria’s new leadership and the shifting dynamics of Middle Eastern politics.

Al-Sharaa, who assumed the presidency in January after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad and ending the Assad family’s decades-long grip on power, once languished in a U.S. prison. In the mid-2000s, Petraeus commanded American forces during the occupation of Iraq, where al-Sharaa was captured and imprisoned for five years for resisting the invasion. Petraeus would later rise to lead the CIA, symbolizing Washington’s heavy hand in the region.

That two men once on opposite ends of the battlefield could share a platform in New York speaks volumes about both Syria’s new trajectory and the uncomfortable recalibrations in U.S. foreign policy.

From resistance fighter to head of state

After his release from U.S. custody in 2011, al-Sharaa quickly rose as a central figure in Syria’s opposition against Assad. He founded the al-Nusra Front in 2012, a group that later severed ties with al-Qaeda and merged into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which al-Sharaa led. Though Washington once branded HTS a “terrorist organization,” it quietly lifted the designation in 2024, an acknowledgment of Syria’s changing political realities.

The U.S. even removed its $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa only months ago, signaling a softer posture toward Damascus after Assad’s fall. This backtracking underscores Washington’s hypocrisy: it long demonized those resisting its regional interventions, only to seek dialogue once those same figures consolidated legitimate power.

Historic appearance at the UN

Al-Sharaa’s arrival in New York marked the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the United Nations General Assembly in nearly six decades. His large delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings, including with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while also addressing side events on regional stability and reconstruction.

The meeting with Petraeus came at the Concordia Annual Summit, a high-profile global affairs forum that attracts world leaders, business executives, and policymakers. The symbolism was not lost on observers: the Syrian leader who once defied the U.S. occupation of Iraq now stood as a head of state, engaging openly with the very general who once ordered his capture.

Petraeus praises Al-Sharaa’s transformation

Petraeus himself acknowledged the irony, telling the audience that al-Sharaa’s rise “from insurgent leader to head of state” represented one of the most dramatic political shifts in recent Middle Eastern history. The former general even praised al-Sharaa’s leadership and expressed concern for his wellbeing, remarking that he counted himself among the Syrian president’s admirers.

For his part, al-Sharaa struck a conciliatory tone. “At one time, we were in combat; now we move to discourse,” he said, stressing that those who have endured war understand the value of peace. He reflected on past struggles, admitting that “mistakes may have been made,” but emphasized that his current mission is to defend the Syrian people and restore stability to the region.

Priorities: unity, reconstruction, and independence

Al-Sharaa laid out a vision centered on rebuilding Syria, unifying its people, and ensuring independence from foreign interference. He pointed to parliamentary elections scheduled for October as a step toward strengthening national institutions.

The president called on Washington to repeal the Caesar Act, sanctions imposed in 2019 that have crippled Syria’s economy and deepened humanitarian suffering. “The Syrian people are rallying behind their government,” he said, urging the international community to support reconstruction rather than perpetuate economic warfare.

Addressing domestic concerns, al-Sharaa reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the rights of Syria’s minorities, including the Kurdish population, while making clear that only the Syrian state should hold arms. “There can be no divided authority in Syria,” he said.

Standing firm on Israel

Al-Sharaa also spoke on the Israeli occupation, noting that since Assad’s fall, Israel has launched more than a thousand strikes on Syrian territory and continues to occupy the Golan Heights. While Syria seeks to avoid another war, he revealed that limited security talks are underway, based on the 1974 disengagement agreement. His message was clear: Damascus will not compromise its sovereignty, but it is willing to pursue pragmatic diplomacy to shield the Syrian people from further conflict.

A turning point in global politics

Al-Sharaa’s presence in New York, and the respect he commanded even from former U.S. adversaries, highlights a new chapter for Syria. It also exposes Washington’s waning influence, as U.S. leaders who once branded resistance fighters as enemies now seek dialogue with them when circumstances change.

The realignment also reflects broader global shifts: Russia, China, and India have consistently called for respecting Syria’s sovereignty, condemning unilateral sanctions, and promoting reconstruction. These nations, unlike Washington and Tel Aviv, have emphasized partnership rather than domination.

For Syria, the task ahead is immense: rebuilding a war-torn nation, healing sectarian divisions, and navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. But al-Sharaa’s rise from prisoner of U.S. forces to president addressing the world stage underscores a powerful truth: the era of Western dictation in the Middle East is eroding, giving way to multipolar cooperation and sovereignty.