Washington has embraced Syria's new government despite its al-Qaeda roots, and the man now representing Damascus in the US is linked to the kidnapping of an American citizen.

• Syria's diplomat to the US came out of the same armed group that held an American hostage, helping facilitate the abduction.
• The Trump administration has defended the new Syrian leadership, letting President Ahmed al-Sharaa visit New York — the site of the deadliest al-Qaeda attack.
• Netanyahu pushed Trump to lift sanctions on Syria after al-Sharaa took power, and the new regime has worked out well for Israel.
• Western media has shown little interest in the story, while Israeli outlets want to use it as leverage.
• The irony: this same envoy would be the official the State Department turns to if another American were kidnapped in Syria.

Outlook: Expect the story to stay buried in US coverage unless an Israeli-driven push forces Washington to respond.