At home and abroad, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who once led an affiliate of al Qaeda and was designated as a terrorist by the U.S. in 2013, is facing questions over whether he can stabilize, unify and democratize a fractured and traumatized Syria . He is encountering major challenges, including rebuilding devastated communities, protecting minorities from persecution, and getting oppressive economic sanctions permanently lifted. If al-Sharaa can follow through on his promises, it would