Last week, the American President met with Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria's new de facto leader, sparking controversy over engaging with a figure linked to jihadist groups. Critics argue this legitimizes an Islamist with roots in global militancy, but supporters see it as a calculated move to weaken Iranian and Russian influence in the region. The administration has suspended certain sanctions to enable cooperation with Syria, while maintaining strict measures against Moscow and Tehran, aiming to force Syria to distance itself from these adversaries in exchange for reconstruction aid. However, the article warns that this strategy must be executed with extreme caution, as Sharaa's ideological background remains unchanged, and any engagement risks legitimizing extremist elements. The piece concludes that while this is a bold geopolitical maneuver, ongoing vigilance and distrust toward Sharaa's regime are essential to prevent long-term security threats.