After my visit to Syria earlier this year, I wrote that the U.S. ought to cooperate in the work of rebuilding the country when it aligns with our interests, and also that it seems a little unfair to be sanctioning the current Syrian government for the actions of the Bashar al-Assad regime they overthrew.
Tuesday, Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to hold talks with President Trump in Riyadh on Tuesday, in a summit hosted by Mohammed Bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince.
I don’t know if Trump and al-Sharaa will see eye-to-eye and reach a deal. But you do have to credit the new Syrian president for knowing how to speak Trump’s language: “The 42-year-old Syrian leader has reportedly offered Mr Trump investment opportunities, including a Trump tower in Damascus.”
Now, if it helps the Syrian people rebuild after just about the roughest stretch any country on earth has had over the past decade and a half, I’m all for a “Trump Tower Damascus.” But it does seem like the distinction between the U.S. national interest and Donald Trump’s personal financial interest is disappearing before our eyes, isn’t it?