Trump Holds Historic White House Meeting with Syrian Leader Ahmad al-Sharaa
In a historic development, President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking the first-ever visit by a Syrian leader to Washington. This meeting is seen as a significant step in rebuilding U.S.-Syrian relations, despite al-Sharaa’s controversial past as a former al-Qaeda commander who was recently removed from the U.S. terrorism blacklist.
Why It Matters:
The meeting is crucial for the ongoing U.S. effort to stabilize the Middle East, particularly regarding the fight against ISIS. The key topic of discussion between Trump and al-Sharaa was Syria’s potential participation in the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, signaling a shift in relations between the two countries. The meeting also coincided with the announcement that Syria would reopen its embassy in Washington after a hiatus of over a decade.
Key Details:
Al-Sharaa arrived in Washington on Saturday, where he met with members of the Syrian-American community and lawmakers before his meeting with Trump. In their talks, Trump and al-Sharaa focused on expanding economic cooperation, attracting American investments to Syria, and exploring the possibility of lifting sanctions imposed on the Assad regime under the Caesar Act.
Trump described al-Sharaa as a “tough” leader with whom he has a good relationship, affirming that the U.S. would do everything it can to help Syria succeed. The Syrian presidency also released a statement highlighting discussions on bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest.
Behind the Scenes:
The meeting was described as “warm, candid, and forward-looking” by Syrian Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa, who shared details on social media. Mustafa noted that while Syria signed a political cooperation agreement with the U.S.-led coalition to defeat ISIS, the deal currently lacks military components.
Trump and al-Sharaa also discussed the integration of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian Army, a move that could have broader regional implications. Additionally, al-Sharaa’s government is pushing for a full repeal of U.S. sanctions imposed on the Assad regime in 2019.
Key Developments:
In a move that preceded al-Sharaa’s visit, the UN Security Council voted to remove both him and Syria’s interior minister from the UN terrorism blacklist. Shortly after, the Trump administration followed suit by delisting al-Sharaa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Further signaling a shift in policy, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it would suspend Caesar Act sanctions for another six months, with exceptions for transactions involving Russia and Iran.
A Low-Profile Visit:
The White House kept the visit relatively low-profile. Unlike most high-level foreign meetings, the Oval Office was not opened to the press, and Trump did not greet al-Sharaa at the entrance or take a joint photograph. This unusual level of secrecy is a notable contrast to the typical pageantry associated with state visits.
Broader Implications:
One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was a potential new security agreement between Syria and Israel. The U.S. has set a goal of reaching a security arrangement by the end of the year, focusing on securing the border between the two countries. Trump expressed his support for such an agreement, which he believes could help enhance stability both in Syria and the broader region.
As the situation evolves, U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, stated that the Trump administration is working closely with Israel to facilitate a new understanding with Syria.
This meeting marks a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving towards engagement with Syria, a country long isolated under U.S. sanctions and mistrust. How this shift will affect regional dynamics, particularly with Israel and Iran, remains to be seen.
