Asaad al-Shaibani

Force in Play

In office

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman oversaw the signing of a defence cooperation agreement in Riyadh on Wednesday. It was al-Sharaa's second visit to the kingdom in less than a month. The two governments did not disclose the terms of the defence deal.

Updated 6 days ago

Force in Play

As of August 2026: Led Syria's delegation at US-mediated talks with Israel in Jordan on August 23

Syria and Israel held US-mediated talks in Jordan on August 23, the highest-level session yet between the two governments. Syria's foreign minister led a delegation that included army and intelligence chiefs, but the meeting did not stop the attacks: Israel bombed targets near Damascus and in Lebanon days later.

Updated Aug 27

Force in Play

As of August 2026: Announced the deal and inspected the coastal sites

Russia has kept warships at Syria's port of Tartus since 1971. On Sunday, Damascus said Moscow will hand back the port's commercial berth and a coastal airport, and turn both its Syrian bases into shared 'training and capacity-building centres.'

Updated Aug 10

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Discussed northeast Syria ceasefire with Rubio

For six decades, the Munich Security Conference is the West's main annual defense gathering. On February 15, 2026, the 62nd edition closed with NATO allies announcing military commitments—including Britain's Operation Firecrest Arctic carrier deployment—as tensions with Washington and Trump's April China visit loom.

Updated May 29