Donald Trump’s longtime ally and current U.S. envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, met with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Istanbul and commended him for steps taken against ISIS. Barrack also highlighted the temporary lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria—a rare move since 1979—as a way to "preserve the integrity" of ongoing efforts. The meeting signals a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, though details remain sparse.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another diplomatic handshake—it’s a hint at possible thawing tensions between the U.S. and Syria, at least for now. The praise for counter-ISIS actions suggests cooperation on shared security goals, while the sanctions pause could ease humanitarian or economic pressures. But given Syria’s complex politics and the U.S.’s historically firm stance, it’s worth watching whether this is a one-off gesture or the start of a bigger change.

In his 18th week in office, President Trump had a busy diplomatic week: he chatted with Putin about potentially ending the Ukraine war, hosted South Africa’s leader (though the meeting wasn’t exactly smooth), and tossed out a fresh threat to hike tariffs on the EU. It’s a mix of high-stakes diplomacy and economic brinkmanship—classic Trump.

Editor’s Note: Trump’s whirlwind week shows his trademark blend of deal-making and confrontation. The Putin call raises eyebrows given Russia’s role in Ukraine, the South Africa meeting hints at strained relations, and the tariff threat keeps trade tensions simmering. For anyone watching global stability or the economy, these moves matter—they’re unpredictable, they ripple outward, and they rarely come without consequences.