Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, once a militant leader with deep ties to extremist groups, is now being welcomed in Washington with open arms. Recent images show him playing basketball with American military commanders and meeting with the President, as sanctions against Syria are lifted. Despite his new public persona and diplomatic overtures, al-Sharaa's refusal to engage with Israel and his unapologetic stance on past terrorist acts raise serious concerns about the authenticity of his transformation.

The article draws parallels with past instances where militant leaders rebranded themselves, only to revert to their old ways once international attention faded. It questions whether the West is once again falling for a superficial change, warning that al-Sharaa's actions and rhetoric suggest little has truly shifted beneath the surface. The author urges readers to remain skeptical, emphasizing that the signs of unchanged ideology are clear, even as the world celebrates his supposed moderation.