From Militant to Statesman: Syrian President Sharaa Addresses UN Amid Cheers and Protests.
Once among the world’s most wanted men, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is now being celebrated in New York. The former head of Syria’s al-Nusra Front, who once carried a $10 million bounty, appeared before cheering crowds outside the UN for his first address as Syria’s president.
In a surreal moment, Sharaa sat down with retired US General David Petraeus, the officer involved in his 2006–2011 capture. Smiling, Sharaa remarked, “Someone who went through war is one who knows best the importance of peace.”
After leaving prison, Sharaa founded al-Nusra in 2012, later forming Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Though labeled a terrorist group by the US in 2018, the designation was revoked in July 2025.
Videos showed Syrians waving flags outside the UN as Americans cheered. At a private “fireside chat,” Sharaa reflected on his journey: “Anyone watching a child being killed in the streets will revolt.”
US officials are watching Sharaa’s transformation closely, seeing him as Syria’s best hope to avoid renewed civil war. Still, protests highlighted lingering mistrust, with placards linking him to ISIS and Osama bin Laden.
In his UN speech, Sharaa stated: “Syria has transformed from an exporter of crisis to an opportunity for peace. Israeli strikes against my country continue, threatening new crises. We call on the international community to stand beside us.”
He reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, emphasizing dialogue despite ongoing aggression.
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