'Stop this terrorist': As Rubio meets Syria president al-Sharaa, old US embassy post goes viral

An old post from the United States Embassy in Syria, which had labelled the incumbent Syrian President as a wanted al-Qaeda terrorist in 2017, went viral on Tuesday after secretary of state Marco Rubio met Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss "US priorities" in Syria.In the meeting, Rubio discussed ongoing counterterrorism efforts in Syria with Sharaa, a step that could signal nothing short of an ironic turn in the US–Syria relations."They discussed ongoing counterterrorism efforts, efforts to locate missing Americans, and the importance of Israel-Syria relations in achieving greater regional security," the US department of state wrote about Rubio-Sharaa's meeting."This has not aged well," a user wrote on X.In May, US president Donald Trump met Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, marking the first meeting between the leaders of the two nations in 25 years.The encounter, held on the sidelines of Trump’s engagement with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, was seen as a dramatic shift for Syria as it transitioned from over five decades of autocratic rule under the Assad family.On being asked how the POTUS found the Syrian President, Trump told reporters that meeting with al-Sharaa was "great". He further described him as a "Young, attractive guy, tough guy."Trump also said that al-Sharaa has a "Strong past, very strong past — fighter. He's got a real shot at holding it together."The meeting is a major development that comes after Sharaa’s rebel group overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.The United States’ involvement in Syria intensified after the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, which spiralled into a brutal civil war. Washington initially backed opposition groups with funding, weapons, and training, framing its policy around regime change and support for democratic movements. However, the fragmented opposition and Assad’s resilience complicated US goals.The rise of ISIS in 2014 shifted American priorities. The US launched airstrikes, partnered with Kurdish-led forces, and established a military presence in northeastern Syria. While officially focused on counterterrorism, Washington’s role became entangled with broader geopolitical rivalries, leaving US–Syria relations deeply hostile and unresolved.