Macron Plans First Western Leader Visit to Post-Assad Syria

Syria's presidency said July 5 that French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Damascus for talks with Ahmad al-Sharaa, which AP and Israeli reports describe as the first Western leader visit since Bashar Assad's 2024 ouster. SANA says the agenda includes bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and a delegation of investors and French company representatives; AP says the Elysee did not immediately comment and no date was given. For Israel, Western engagement with post-Assad Syria is useful only if it closes Hezbollah and Iranian routes, restrains jihadist factions and keeps the Golan frontier secure. Jerusalem should welcome reconstruction that weakens Iran's network while preserving IDF freedom of action.