Ahmad al-Sharaa (al-Julani)
Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is the current leader of the Syrian government following the collapse of the Assad regime. Previously the head of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terror organization, he has attempted to transition from a militant commander to a recognized statesman, though he remains viewed with deep suspicion by Israel and regional powers due to his jihadist origins.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, widely known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has emerged as the central figure in post-Assad Syria. His trajectory from a high-ranking operative in Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, to the head of a transitional government in Damascus represents one of the most complex shifts in regional dynamics. For Israel, al-Sharaa represents a dual challenge: while he has overseen the removal of Iranian-aligned forces and Hezbollah influence from much of Syria, his ideological roots in Sunni extremism remain a primary security concern.
Since assuming power, al-Sharaa has adopted a more pragmatic diplomatic tone, appearing in Western-style suits and engaging with international bodies. However, his recent rhetoric regarding the Golan Heights has signaled that his government will maintain traditional Syrian territorial claims. In his address to the UN General Assembly, al-Sharaa asserted that the Golan Heights remain Syrian territory and that all Israeli annexation measures are void. This stance has led Israeli media and officials to label him a "terrorist in a suit," highlighting the skepticism regarding his supposed moderation.
Simultaneously, al-Sharaa faces severe external pressure from the Iranian axis. Tehran, viewing the new Syrian leadership as a threat to its "Land Bridge" to the Mediterranean, has issued explicit threats. Reports indicate that Iran's Tasnim News Agency warned of large-scale missile strikes on over 100 strategic targets in Syria, including the presidential palace, should Damascus intervene against Iranian interests or Hezbollah in Lebanon. For the Zioneer Intelligence Desk, al-Sharaa is monitored as a volatile actor whose efforts to gain international legitimacy are constantly balanced against his jihadist past and the immediate security threats he poses to Israel's northern border.