The Global Story - The rehabilitation of Syria’s ex-jihadist president

The rehabilitation of Syria’s ex-jihadist president

Download The rehabilitation of Syria’s ex-jihadist president

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

Published on Wednesday, 1st October 2025.

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