The reconciliation culminated in Al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House last week, the first by a Syrian president, and the announcement that Syria had become the 90th member of the US-led Global Coalition Against Daesh.
While Trump is a powerful force within the Republican Party, his polarising presence is creating substantial challenges for the party in appealing to a broad enough coalition to secure consistent, nationwide victories beyond his core base.
Yet, over the long term, tilting towards the US doesn't seem to be the natural choice, especially when America is looking to re-shore manufacturing and disengage from China-centric supply chains.