From Wanted Militant to World Leader: US Delists Abu Julani, Paves Way for White House Talks

Washington: The US on Friday removed the name of Syria's new President Ahmed al-Shara (al-Julani) from the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list, while the UN Security Council also decided to withdraw several sanctions imposed on him. The move comes just ahead of a meeting that includes a possible White House visit by al-Sharaa—a clear sign of changed diplomacy. 

Why was this step taken—is America's objective to reintegrate Syria?

US officials have said the decision was taken in the wake of the fall of Assad's regime and the new government's generous gestures to reduce obstacles to Syria's reconstruction and link the economy to the global market. Washington has also argued that maintaining outdated sanctions could make diplomacy and counter-terrorism coordination difficult.

Have Al-Sharaa and his group given any conditions?

In previous rounds of talks, al-Sharaa and his allies have pledged that they will not allow organizations like ISIS to flourish on their territory and will cooperate in counter-terrorism coordination—a commitment cited in US and other Western documents. On the basis of this, some countries had earlier also reduced the bounty and restrictions imposed on them. 

Does this decision also raise concerns?

Some policymakers and experts are warning that reinstating an ex-terrorist leader or group could weaken global terror-regulation norms. Critics say that without strict monitoring and clear conditions, the move could lead to future instability and a lack of accountability. For this reason, international and Congress-level questions are being raised on the decision.

What happens next—which fronts will be monitored?

The next days will focus on the meeting between Trump and al-Shara at the White House, where talks on economic aid, security agreements, and regional stability are possible. At the same time, UN monitoring, sanctions conditions, and diplomatic transparency will determine whether this change marks the beginning of real reconstruction in Syria or proves to be merely a political move.

The removal of al-Sharaa from the terrorist list and the UNSC's decision to lift sanctions represent a major shift in global diplomacy—an effort to bring Syria back into the international arena, but also one that is fraught with risks without transparency and accountability regarding conditions and monitoring.