Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Shara's Media Makeover and Christian Persecution

Syrian Christians Under Attack

• ⚠️ A recent attack at St. Elas Church near Damascus, where an armed jihadist detonated a suicide vest, resulted in 24 deaths and left the Christian community in mourning.
• 🎯 This incident raises concerns about the growing threat of annihilation for Syria's Christian minority.

The New Syrian Government and Al-Shara

• ❓ Questions arise about whether Ahmed Al-Shara, the new leader of Syria and former leader of an Al Qaeda branch (al-Nusra), can be trusted to protect religious minorities.
• 🤝 Some US congressmen, particularly Republicans, left meetings with Al-Shara feeling optimistic about his government's pragmatism, tolerance, and potential respect for human rights and religious freedom.
• ⚠️ However, recent events such as the massacre of Alawites, targeting of the Druze community, and the appointment of individuals involved in atrocities against Kurds to senior military positions in Haka do not inspire confidence.

Western Perceptions and Media Makeovers

• 🧐 Analysts like Ryan Mauro at the Capital Research Center describe the rapid makeover of Ahmed Al-Shara by Western governments and media as the fastest transformation of a public figure they have ever witnessed.
• 💡 While positive reinforcement for steps in the right direction is important, capitulating to a figure with a past in terrorism is questioned.
• 🗣️ Al-Shara's political constituency is unclear, as he alienates both hardline Salafists (for participating in democracy) and potentially the Muslim Brotherhood (for discussing normalizing ties with Israel).
• 💰 US-based 501c3 nonprofits are noted for their significant role in promoting this positive image of Al-Shara.

Future of Syrian Christians

• ✝️ Assyrian Christians, who have faced killings and persecution from militant Islamists and even Kurds, do not believe the new Syrian government will protect them.
• 🌍 Creating a stable Middle East is seen as necessitating the protection of ancient minority faith communities.