Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa briefly interrupted a meeting with the Syrian diaspora in New York and asked for his chair to be replaced with one like those used by the attendees. This was the second such incident: a year earlier, he had asked for his chair to match that of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The simple detail drew attention and literally brought the chair from the background into the foreground.
Reactions were divided. Some saw the gesture as spontaneous and modest—a signal that al-Sharaa was sitting among members of the diaspora and considered himself one of them. Others criticized the move. The president himself explained with a smile that the seat prepared for him was uncomfortable; in a widely circulated video, he says: “Last time, it was interpreted as modesty… honestly, it’s uncomfortable.” Thus, the symbolism of the gesture remained open to differing interpretations, ranging from support to criticism.
The scene raised questions: Does every presidential visit have its own protocol? When does protocol dictate where someone sits, and does it determine the shape of the chair? Not all visits by heads of state are governed by the same protocol rules. The U.S. State Department distinguishes between state, official, working and private visits. In some government-visit guidelines, meetings with diaspora communities and local groups are excluded from the official program unless special arrangements have been made. Therefore, a meeting with a community does not automatically become an “official ceremony” simply because the president is present.
There is no universal protocol rule requiring a president to sit in a chair of a particular design. However, seating at official events may be governed by precise rules of precedence and ceremony. The UN Protocol and Liaison Service provides advice on protocol and diplomatic etiquette and prepares seating plans for a number of official events. In its protocol guidelines, the State Department notes that seating arrangements vary depending on the event, while the positions of the host, guest of honor and other distinguished guests are determined by precedence. Protocol primarily concerns a person’s place and position within the hierarchy of the scene, rather than a special chair of a different color or shape. Replacing a chair does not indicate a change in the order of the individuals present, so this fact alone is insufficient to conclude that protocol was violated.
The meeting took place in New York alongside al-Sharaa’s participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He arrived at the head of an official delegation that included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh. This was his second visit to New York for General Assembly meetings. According to the SANA news agency, the meeting addressed the latest developments in Syria, the path toward recovery and revival, and the role of Syrians abroad. Participants were given an opportunity to propose ideas and apply their experience during the reconstruction phase.
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What is Ahmed al-Sharaa’s political and military background, and how did he become president of Syria? — Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, began as a jihadist in Iraq after 2003 and was linked to al-Qaeda. In 2012, he founded Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria, an al-Qaeda affiliate. In 2016, he announced a break with al-Qaeda and renamed the group; in 2017, he established Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took control of Idlib. In November–December 2024, HTS led an offensive that resulted in the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. On January 29, 2025, at a meeting of military factions, al-Sharaa was declared president of Syria for a transitional period. He also dissolved parliament, the old army and HTS.
What is the SANA news agency, and how do its materials reflect the position of the Syrian government? — SANA, the Syrian Arab News Agency, is Syria’s state news agency, founded in 1965. It publishes official statements, decrees, military reports and news reflecting the authorities’ position. Under the Assad regime, SANA served as a mouthpiece for the government and the Ba’ath Party. After December 2024, it continued to operate as a state agency and report the position of the transitional authorities led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Its materials are not independent and represent the official viewpoint.
How large is the Syrian diaspora, particularly in the United States, and what political influence does it have? Why is it being involved in Syria’s reconstruction? — The Syrian diaspora is estimated at roughly 15–18 million people, including descendants, although exact figures vary. Depending on the estimate, between 150,000 and 300,000 Syrians and Syrian Americans live in the United States. Their political influence is relatively limited but is growing through organizations such as the Syrian American Council and the Syrian Emergency Task Force, which lobby Congress and shape public opinion. The diaspora is being involved in Syria’s reconstruction because it has capital, professional expertise, business ties and remittance networks. It can invest in the economy, support humanitarian projects, and lobby for the lifting of sanctions and international support for the new government.
Full version: Al-Sharaa leaves his chair for the second time and chooses a seat among the attendees—is this a breach of protocol?