Macron's Syrian Gamble: A Risky Reaffirmation of French Commitment Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus marks a significant departure from France's previous stance on the Assad regime, but it also raises questions about the long term consequences of engaging with a country still reeling from civil war.
By becoming the first Western European head of state to set foot in Syria since Bashar al Assad's downfall, Macron is signaling that France remains committed to the Syrian people – at least on paper.
The visit comes just weeks after a deadly bombing in Damascus, which highlights the ongoing security challenges facing the new Islamist authorities.