This is CBS, I on the World. I'm John Batchel. Syria, darkness visible, in civil war at least since the first decade of the

21st century, but then again, the civil war has been going on for decades more than that, having to been absorbed in the tumult of coups and counter-cues, at least since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire.

Here we are in the 21st century, however, so let's apply to the facts that we have right now.

I welcome Sinan Shidi of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy writing about this in

1945. We begin with fresh information. I'm told by a colleague, Jonathan Shanzer of Sinans,

that there is a story that the UN has invited Al-Shara, the self-named president of Syria, former al-Qaeda operative,

to speak at the United Nations.

In addition, there is fresh information, FD, reporting, that the U.S. intends to reduce its

presence in eastern Syria, where it has been a watchdog on ISIS, from five bases to three headed to one.

That's enough up-to-date moments because we turn now to Al-Shaara, his presentation in a blue

suit with a trim beard, most notably shaking hands with the President of the United States

and the presence of Muhammad bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

Is this a new man?

Sinan, a very good evening to you.

New man who has announced that there will not be elections for five years,

despite the fact that he named himself president.

What do we need to know about the risk of trusting Al-Shara

to reverse his conduct of the last decade as a cutthroat?

Good evening to you.

Good evening, John. Thanks for having me.

Yeah, I mean, lots and lots of questions.

It's just a lot of known unknowns.

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