PoliticsExclusive interview with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa

In an extended interview, Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, discusses his plans to transform the country into a modern Arab democracy. The interview follows the collapse in December 2024 of the al-Assad dynasty’s 53-year rule after an overwhelming armed opposition offensive, which forced Bashar al-Assad from office and into exile in Russia before al-Julani took power and became president.