French President Emmanuel Macron, the first Western leader to receive Ahmad al-Sharaa in Paris on May 7, has paved the way for the Syrian leader’s recognition on the international stage. The move aims to give a chance to the leader of the new Syria, a country grappling with instability from sectarian violence, a collapsed economy and intensified Israeli airstrikes. Macron called for lifting sanctions so as not to weaken the transitional government, aware that its collapse could plunge the country into chaos, with consequences for an already volatile Middle East. Context Macron welcomes Syrian president to ask him to protect 'all civilians' He also signaled the importance of preventing rival powers like Russia from gaining ground in Syria, as he hinted during the press conference following the meeting at the presidential palace.“I...