Syria celebrates "Liberation Day", marking one year since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime and the end of a 13-year civil war, with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledging to build a strong nation and reshape foreign relations.Al-Sharaa seeks closer ties with the US and Gulf states while distancing from Iran and Russia, a shift that has facilitated the return of over 1.2 million refugees and led to the easing of Western sanctions.U.S. President Donald Trump has hosted al-Sharaa at the White House, and the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, enacted in 2019, is expected to be repealed as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, offering significant hope for Syria's future.