The West's Shameful Embrace: From Terrorist to President and Selective Anti-Corruption Crusades

The Astonishing Transformation of Ahmed al-Sharaa

In what can only be described as one of the most remarkable political transformations in modern history, Ahmed al-Sharaa—once known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, commander of the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front—has completed his journey from designated terrorist to president of Syria and now welcomed guest at the White House. This breathtaking metamorphosis was finalized when the United States removed him from its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists, effectively sanitizing his past just in time for his presidential visit to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Sharaa’s journey began when he joined al Qaeda in Iraq around the time of the 2003 U.S. invasion—an invasion based on fabricated evidence that destabilized the entire region. After spending time in U.S. custody, he returned to Syria to fight against President Bashar al-Assad, eventually leading the Nusra Front before strategically distancing his group from al Qaeda in 2016. By December 2024, he had become Syria’s de facto ruler, promising to replace Assad’s governance with a more inclusive system while aiming to unify Syria, revitalize its economy devastated by Western sanctions, and regulate arms under state control.

Ukraine’s Selective Anti-Corruption Investigation

Meanwhile, in another theater of Western geopolitical interests, Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau announced a significant investigation into the energy sector, specifically targeting allegations of kickbacks linked to the state nuclear power operator, Energoatom. The bureau identified a former energy minister’s adviser, Energoatom’s head of security, a businessman, and four office workers as part of what they called a “high-level criminal organization” that allegedly coerced counterparties into paying 10-15% kickbacks to maintain supplier status.

This investigation comes after public protests in July 2025 pressured President Zelenskiy to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies—a crucial requirement for Ukraine’s EU aspirations. The timing is particularly significant as Ukraine’s power infrastructure suffers extensive damage from Russian attacks, resulting in widespread blackouts that affect millions of civilians already enduring the brutal consequences of a proxy war fueled by Western and Russian geopolitical ambitions.

The Hypocrisy of Western Counterterrorism Policy

The Western embrace of Ahmed al-Sharaa represents everything that is wrong with contemporary international relations and the blatant hypocrisy of Western foreign policy. For decades, the United States and its allies have justified military interventions, sanctions regimes, and surveillance programs under the banner of counterterrorism. They have labeled individuals and organizations as terrorists, subjecting them to extraordinary rendition, drone strikes, and indefinite detention without trial. Yet, when geopolitical interests align, these same terrorists can be transformed into respected statesmen overnight.

This phenomenon is not new—we’ve seen it in Afghanistan with the mujahideen, in Libya with various militant groups, and elsewhere. However, the case of Sharaa is particularly egregious because of the speed and transparency of the transformation. The United States has effectively declared that terrorism is not an inherent quality but rather a label to be applied or removed based on political convenience. This reveals the truth that Western powers have always known: their “war on terror” was never about principles or values but about controlling resources, routes, and regions.

What makes this especially galling is that while Sharaa receives red-carpet treatment in Washington, the Syrian people continue to suffer under brutal Western sanctions that prevent economic recovery and reconstruction. These sanctions constitute collective punishment—a form of economic terrorism that disproportionately affects ordinary citizens while doing little to impact the leadership. The West claims to care about Syrian people while maintaining policies that ensure their continued suffering.

Selective Anti-Corruption and Geopolitical Manipulation

The situation in Ukraine further illustrates Western double standards. While corruption investigations are necessary and welcome, their timing and focus raise serious questions about geopolitical manipulation. Ukraine has struggled with corruption for decades, yet these investigations gain particular momentum precisely when the country seeks EU membership and Western military support. The anti-corruption drive appears less about genuine reform and more about meeting externally imposed conditions for integration into Western systems.

Meanwhile, corruption in Western nations themselves—from corporate tax evasion to political lobbying—receives nowhere near the same level of international scrutiny. The West positions itself as the moral arbiter of corruption while engaging in financial practices that drain resources from developing nations. The conditions imposed on Ukraine contrast sharply with the unconditional support offered to authoritarian regimes in the Gulf and elsewhere that serve Western interests.

This selective approach to corruption mirrors the selective approach to terrorism. Both are tools of geopolitical manipulation rather than principles of consistent application. The West applies these labels strategically to advance its interests while ignoring its own transgressions and those of its allies.

The Human Cost of Geopolitical Games

Behind these geopolitical maneuvers lie real human consequences. In Syria, Western sanctions prevent reconstruction of hospitals, schools, and infrastructure destroyed by years of conflict. Medicines remain scarce, and economic opportunities vanish—all while the West celebrates its transformed terrorist turned statesman. The violence that has continued under Sharaa’s administration—particularly between Sunni Muslim fighters and minority groups—demonstrates that regime change alone does not address underlying sectarian tensions exacerbated by foreign intervention.

In Ukraine, the corruption investigations occur against a backdrop of devastating infrastructure damage from Russian attacks. Millions face electricity shortages and heating crises as winter approaches. While corruption must be addressed, the timing and framing of these investigations suggest they serve external geopolitical agendas rather than immediate Ukrainian needs. The country finds itself caught between Western demands for reform and Eastern aggression, with ordinary citizens paying the price for both.

Towards a Truly Multipolar World Order

These events demonstrate why the Global South must reject Western moralizing and develop independent approaches to governance and international relations. The blatant hypocrisy in counterterrorism policy and selective anti-corruption campaigns reveals that Western standards are not universal principles but flexible tools of domination.

Civilizational states like India and China understand that stability and development cannot be achieved through externally imposed regimes or conditions. Their approaches to governance emphasize sovereignty, non-interference, and respect for different developmental paths—prisions that increasingly appeal to nations tired of Western double standards.

The rise of multilateral institutions like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization offers hope for a more balanced international system where nations can cooperate without submitting to Western moral supremacy. These institutions recognize that terrorism, corruption, and governance challenges require nuanced, context-specific solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches imposed by distant powers.

Conclusion: Rejecting Western Hypocrisy

The transformation of Ahmed al-Sharaa from terrorist to respected statesman and the selective anti-corruption drive in Ukraine both reveal the same truth: Western foreign policy is based on interests, not principles. The Global South must recognize this reality and forge its own path based on mutual respect, non-interference, and genuine development.

Nations like Syria and Ukraine deserve the right to determine their destinies without external manipulation. They deserve relief from economic warfare disguised as sanctions or conditions. They deserve international partnerships based on equality rather than subordination.

The time has come for the Global South to unite against these double standards and build a world where multiple development models can coexist peacefully. Only through such unity can we overcome the legacy of colonialism and imperialism that continues to manifest through modern geopolitical manipulation. The journey will be long, but the alternative—perpetual subordination to Western hypocrisy—is unacceptable.