At America’s urging, Israel and Turkey have found an uneasy balance, each hoping the other will avoid its red lines. A Turkish base in Damascus would cross Israel’s, says Omer Ozkizilcik, an analyst at the Atlantic Council, a think-tank. An Israeli intervention in support of Syria’s Kurdish insurgents would cross Turkey’s.

"I didn't know the salaries the government pays were this high!" Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa joked after more than 100 loyalists arrived at his former rebel base, many pulling up in luxury SUVs.

Al-Sharaa's US trip will mark a historic first—no Syrian head of state has ever been received at the White House

More than 400,000 Syrians have been displaced in the year since the civil war ended, according to the United Nations, driven by a mix of sectarian violence, acts of revenge and property disputes.

From the cellblock to statesman, the story of Syrian president Ahmed Al-Shara’s transformation is a rare one in the Middle East.

Syrian officials tell Fox News Digital they want peace and focus on rebuilding, as al-Sharaa’s UN speech draws thousands of supporters.

This is either gonna be wildly successful or a complete disaster,” Austin Tice wrote in May 2012, on the eve of a dangerous journey to bear witness to history. “Here goes nothing.”