Following Trump’s announcement lifting sanctions on Syria, the U.S. expanded its political momentum toward Syria by appointing its ambassador to Ankara, Thomas Barak, as special envoy to Syria on May 23, 2025, while retaining his current post.

Though not religious himself, Donald Trump has long courted evangelical Christian movements with his conservative policies, styling himself as a champion of right-wing Christians.

In an interview with Al-Estiklal, former AK party MP Rasul Tosun discussed Turkiye’s regional ambitions, the controversy surrounding Ekrem Imamoglu, and Erdogan’s possible 3rd term; he also criticized the Islamic world’s inaction on Gaza facing Israeli terrorism.

Although he is the first American pope and President Donald Trump was quick to express enthusiasm over his election, many expect Cardinal Robert Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—to prove a thorn in the side of the U.S. administration.

The new Syrian government is focusing its efforts on investing in the tourism sector for the 2025 season, aiming to generate revenue for a state treasury seeking diverse resources to help revive the economy.