Overview

• Ahmed al‑Sharaa became the first Syrian president in nearly six decades to address the UN General Assembly, urging an end to Israeli strikes and reaffirming commitment to the 1974 disengagement framework.
• U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Israel and Syria are on the verge of a de‑escalation pact, with proposals reported to include halting Israeli strikes and restricting Syrian heavy equipment near the border.
• Israeli officials say any arrangement must ensure demilitarization of southwestern Syria and protections for Druze communities, and reports suggest a Netanyahu–al‑Sharaa meeting in Washington next week remains unconfirmed but likely.
• Al‑Sharaa pressed for comprehensive sanctions relief, as the White House has already waived or lifted many Assad‑era measures and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met him this week on counterterrorism and regional security.
• At home, authorities set October 5 for a tightly managed selection of a 210‑seat People’s Assembly via an electoral college and presidential appointments, while rights groups cite abuses against Druze and Alawites that al‑Sharaa says are under UN‑backed investigation.