Why Did Trump Abandon Israel To Back 'Terror-Linked' Al-Sharaa?

President Donald Trump is set to host Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on November 10 — marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state. Once an al-Qaeda commander with a $10 million U.S. bounty, Al-Sharaa will join the 89-nation Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. In exchange, Trump plans to lift Caesar Act sanctions and release up to $60 billion in frozen Syrian assets. “We took the sanctions off to give them a chance of survival,” Trump stated.
The decision has triggered outrage as Israeli forces continue strikes on Damascus and occupy parts of the UN buffer zone. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on Syria’s full demilitarisation and Druze safety guarantees before any accord. Critics say Trump’s move echoes his Qatar policy—shielding controversial allies despite Israel’s objections.