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Spotlight | France, Russia, Syria, Turkey, United States
French security diplomacy in top gear for Syria's great game

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (centre), his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock (left) and the new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on 3 January 2025.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (centre), his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock (left) and the new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on 3 January 2025. © Sana/AFP
From secret visits to high-level videoconferences, French security diplomacy has been finding its way among the major players ahead of a major Syria conference in Paris on 13 February. While Russia is trying to get back into the country, some Gulf nations are readying an alternative to Ahmed al-Sharaa's rule. We take a look at the great game being played between Paris and Damascus. [...]
Reading time 6 minutes Pierre Gastineau

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