Ahmad Shara named among Time’s 100 most influential people of 2025
Ahmad Shara, Syria’s interim president, was named in Time’s 100 Most Influential People list.
Time magazine, as part of its annual tradition, has released the list of the 100 most influential people of the world in 2025. Among them is Ahmad Shara, the interim President of Syria, joining figures such as US President Donald Trump and Bangladesh’s transitional government leader Mohammad Yunus.
Ahmad Shara, also known by his alias Abu Mohammad al-Julani, played a pivotal role in the opposition’s attacks in Syria in 2024, leading to the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December that year. Since January 2025, he has served as Syria’s interim President, signing a transitional constitution for a five-year period.
In describing Shara, Time noted, “A man of ambition, he realized that to defeat Assad, he needed to be not only a military commander but also a political leader.” The magazine highlighted the challenges he faces, particularly balancing the demands of the radical Islamist forces within his group and the expectations of Syria’s liberal society.
Time also raised the question of whether Shara is an extremist masked as a moderate or a pragmatic politician who used radical groups to seize power.
Born on October 29, 1982, in Riyadh, Shara was previously listed by the US Department of State as a global terrorist in 2013 due to his links with al-Qaeda and leadership of the al-Nusra Front. A reward of $10 million was placed on his head for his capture. However, the US recently lifted the reward, and countries such as the US, the UK, and Turkey have established diplomatic ties with him, signaling his acceptance as a legitimate political figure.
Following his rise to power, Shara has taken steps to stabilize Syria, including forming a cabinet with a diverse ethnic and religious composition that includes representatives from the Christian, Druze, Kurdish, and Alawite communities, a move welcomed by the international community.
However, his government faces significant challenges. According to BBC reports, retaliatory massacres in Alawite-majority areas in March 2025 left over 1,000 dead, putting pressure on Shara to promise the prosecution of the perpetrators. Furthermore, international sanctions and widespread poverty (with 90% of the population living below the poverty line) are among the primary issues confronting his administration.
Ahmad Shara’s inclusion in Time’s list reflects his growing political influence in Syria. While his path to power and leadership style remain contentious, his actions suggest a pragmatic approach to governance in a deeply fractured nation. Yet, the significant challenges he faces, including international scrutiny, internal strife, and widespread poverty, will likely determine the future of his rule.
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