The U.S. looks to become an “older brother” to Syria – Midweek

Ash-Shara returned from the White House with strong support from Trump, even without joining the “Abraham Accords.” Meanwhile, Haqqon Fidan assisted the Syrian delegation on behalf of Turkey during this visit.

Within two days, explosions occurred in both Delhi and Islamabad, claiming dozens of lives. These incidents in the capitals of two traditionally hostile nations carry an unusual and somewhat mysterious significance.

Imamoglu faces nearly 2,500 years in prison. Earlier this year, the former mayor of Istanbul, who once aspired to become Turkey’s next president, now faces challenges in appearing publicly.

The Taliban reportedly made a first concession benefiting women.

For a detailed summary of the major global events leading up to midweek, see QALAMPIR.UZ’s Midweek program.

Trump gives Ash-Shara his official backing

An unexpected turn has emerged in Washington-Damascus relations. The Syrian leader, once considered an adversary, was formally welcomed in the U.S. capital. On November 10, 2025, Syrian interim President Ahmad Ash-Shara met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. This was the first official visit to Washington by a Syrian head of state since Syria gained independence in 1946. Ash-Shara was formally removed from the label of “terrorist.” Despite this, the level of protocol granted to him did not match that typically shown to other state leaders. Trump primarily conducted discussions with Ash-Shara at a table used for media interviews and announcements. The meeting was closed to the press, and Ash-Shara entered through a side entrance rather than the main access used by most foreign leaders.

However, the agreements reached are significant. Syrian interim government information minister Hamza Mustafa confirmed that Damascus had joined the U.S.-led international coalition against ISIS. He emphasized that Syria has strengthened its role as a partner in counterterrorism efforts and supported regional stability. The agreement, however, is purely political, with no military provisions.

Trump’s relationship with Ash-Shara appears positive. He described the Syrian leader as a “strong leader” capable of turning Syria into a “highly successful” state. The U.S. State Department extended Syria’s sanctions relief for another 180 days. Trump also noted that he has long supported Ash-Shara.

During negotiations, both leaders agreed to continue implementing the March 10 agreement, which integrates Kurdish fighters into the Syrian Armed Forces. Trump confirmed that the U.S. is prepared to provide Syria with assistance for reconstruction and future development.

A notable development followed: Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Shiboni and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Haqqon Fidan to discuss mechanisms for implementing the agreements. This demonstrates that Turkey is supporting Syria not only in domestic but also in foreign policy coordination.

There now appears to be little doubt that Syria and the U.S. can collaborate on multiple issues. Trump can work directly with Ash-Shara or through Erdoğan. Following the White House meeting, Damascus announced that it will cooperate with the U.S. against ISIS and does not oppose U.S. forces in Syrian territory. Ash-Shara emphasized that the U.S. military presence in Syria will now operate in coordination with the Syrian government.

However, despite closer ties with the U.S., Ash-Shara remains distant from the Abraham Accords and is not prepared to recognize Israel as a state. In a post-meeting interview with Fox News, he stated he will not enter direct negotiations with Israel at this time, citing Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights. While the U.S.-Syria relationship is improving, normalization with Israel remains off the table. Turkey, particularly Fidan and other officials accompanying Ash-Shara to the White House, has played a key role in facilitating these ties. Through Turkey, Syria is reopening itself to the U.S., and through the U.S., to the world.

Mysterious explosions in Delhi and Islamabad

On November 10, a car explosion near Red Fort Metro in India’s capital Delhi killed at least eight people and injured 24 others. The blast sparked a fire, damaging nearby vehicles. The cause remains unknown, prompting Delhi to declare a state of emergency.

The explosion occurred near Metro Entrance 1. Police continue to investigate, and the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh was placed on high alert. Governor Amitabh Yash ordered heightened security around key religious sites, restive areas, and border regions, while police throughout the state remain on high alert.

A day later, Pakistan experienced a similar explosion in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring dozens, mostly lawyers and court staff. Police suspect a suicide bomber was responsible. The blast occurred in a vehicle parked near a courthouse and was so powerful it was heard six kilometers away. President Arif Ali Zardari condemned the attack as terrorism and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

Imamoglu faces nearly 2,500 years in prison

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has submitted an indictment against former mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seeking nearly 2,500 years of imprisonment for corruption-related charges. According to local media, 402 people were mentioned in the case, including 105 in detention. The 3,900-page indictment lists allegations such as establishing a criminal organization, bribery, and fraud. Imamoglu is described as the “founder and leader” of the organization, facing 142 separate charges, with damages estimated at 160 billion Turkish lira, or roughly 3.7 billion dollars.

The prosecution seeks a prison term extending to 2,352 years. The former mayor has been in detention for eight months, with new charges regularly added. Despite being acquitted in one corruption case, he was later charged with political espionage, along with Tele1 editor-in-chief Merdan Yanardag and Imamoglu’s advisor Nejat Ozkan, accused of sharing citizens’ personal data with foreign intelligence.

Imamoglu was detained on March 19, 2025, initially charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, organizing a criminal organization, and assisting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. He was a leading contender against incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2027 presidential election. Many observers believe Imamoglu’s detention has strong political motivations. His continued imprisonment, combined with legal restrictions on his educational qualifications, has effectively prevented his candidacy.

The Taliban grants a first “gift” to women

Since taking power, the Taliban have been criticized for human rights violations and unprecedented restrictions on women, despite reducing the narcotics trade. The government’s policies have restricted girls’ schooling and women’s employment, with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs replaced by the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The Taliban’s rule has drawn international condemnation.

However, positive developments have emerged in southern Afghanistan. A new radio station, “Women’s Voice,” has begun broadcasting from Herat. Run entirely by women for a female audience, it features content highlighting women’s issues and interests. Station director Shabnam Karimi stated that the station provides a platform for women’s voices in western Afghanistan to reach authorities and the global community.

Will Lavrov correct his mistake?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed readiness to resume preparations for a future meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump, despite previous reports that a planned summit was disrupted. In interviews, he reiterated that Budapest is the most suitable location for the meeting but emphasized that new proposals from the U.S. are required. Lavrov confirmed that any claims tying the canceled meeting to the “Ukraine memorandum” are false.

According to Lavrov, a “non-paper” outlining prior understandings from Anchorage negotiations was sent to the U.S. days before the October 16 phone call between the presidents. A subsequent discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was planned to coordinate foreign policy, defense, and intelligence interactions, but the U.S. did not follow through on this initiative. 

"We expected the Americans to take the initiative on a specific place and time, because the proposal to hold the summit came from them. But instead, they issued a statement saying, 'There is no point in the meeting,'" the Russian Foreign Minister added.