The Global Story
The Global Story
The rehabilitation of Syria’s ex-jihadist president
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1 October 2025
29 minutes
Available for over a year
After getting the red-carpet treatment at the UN in New York last week, the former al-Qaeda fighter who now leads Syria is about to hold an election. But is Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, really about to transition the country into democracy? Or does he have other plans?
The BBC's senior international correspondent Orla Guerin joins us from Damascus, where she’s been speaking to Syrians about the country’s future.
Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Valerio Esposito
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior News Editor: China Collins
Image: Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Khalil Ashawi / Reuters
