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U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 10, 2025. (Credit: SANA/AFP)
Add as preferred on Google In November 2025, in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump sprayed Ahmad al-Sharaa with his own perfume, “Victory 45-47.” The scene epitomized the personal diplomacy that had paved the way for a rapprochement between Washington and Damascus.A year later, following the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections, questions are emerging about the strength of Washington’s institutional commitment to Sharaa. After all, the Syrian president’s main political guarantee remains the man who gave him that perfume. Delve deeper Syria in the Yemen war? Sharaa seems to have little choice left The first risk for Sharaa is that his privileged access to the White House could diminish over the next two years. Trump may become increasingly preoccupied with political and legal battles involving the new Congress, leaving him with less... You have reached your article limit.Stay informed as events unfold across a region in flux.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
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