President Trump makes an unprecedented diplomatic move with Syria, meeting face-to-face with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and offering to lift long-standing sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation.

At a Glance

• Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, marking the first US-Syria leadership meeting in 25 years
• The US will drop sanctions against Syria and explore normalizing relations with Damascus
• Syria is considering joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel
• Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, was previously linked to al-Qaeda and designated a terrorist by the US
• The move represents a significant shift in US Middle East policy, potentially isolating Iran and reducing Chinese influence

Historic Meeting Signals Major Policy Shift

President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia this week, marking the first face-to-face meeting between American and Syrian leaders in a quarter century. During the landmark meeting, Trump announced that the United States would drop sanctions against Syria and begin exploring the normalization of relations with Damascus. This dramatic diplomatic initiative comes just months after Sharaa overthrew the Assad regime in December 2024, establishing a new government that has been seeking international recognition.

Trump praised Sharaa as a strong leader during their discussions and expressed optimism about Syria’s future under his leadership. The meeting is widely seen as a significant diplomatic breakthrough for Sharaa, who has been working to lift Western sanctions imposed after his rise to power. The potential deal would reverse years of American policy isolating Syria from the international community, with Trump’s administration taking a dramatically different approach from previous administrations.

From Terrorist Designation to Presidential Recognition

The diplomatic engagement is particularly notable given Sharaa’s controversial background. Formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, he previously led the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has been linked to al-Qaeda. The United States designated HTS as a foreign terrorist organization in 2014, and Sharaa himself was listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2013. These designations make Trump’s decision to meet with him and offer sanctions relief all the more remarkable.

Sharaa has claimed to have cut ties with terrorist organizations and is now attempting to build what he describes as an inclusive government in Syria. He currently leads a military junta and describes himself as an “interim” president, having promised to hold elections within four years. The White House has outlined specific tasks for Syria’s new government, including deporting Palestinian terrorists and managing ISIS detention centers, as conditions for continued American support.

Abraham Accords Expansion and Regional Strategy

A key component of the discussions involved Syria potentially joining the Abraham Accords, the series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations that began during Trump’s first administration. This possibility represents a significant strategic shift in Middle Eastern politics and could substantially reduce Chinese influence in the region while further isolating Iran. The incorporation of Syria into this framework would be a major diplomatic achievement for Trump’s Middle East strategy.

Trump reportedly discussed lifting sanctions on Syria with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, suggesting a coordinated regional approach. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to lifting sanctions on Syria due to security concerns, highlighting the complex balancing act Trump faces in pursuing this diplomatic initiative. Trump emphasized the need for Syria to improve relations with Israel and contribute to regional stability.

Shift Away from Nation-Building

The historic meeting represents a significant departure from the long-standing American policy of attempting to reshape governments in the Middle East. Middle Eastern news sources, including Al Jazeera, and the Jerusalem Post view the meeting as a major diplomatic development that could potentially legitimize Syria’s new government on the international stage. This approach allows Syria to determine its own future without direct American intervention in its internal politics.

Trump’s willingness to engage with a leader previously designated as a terrorist signals a pragmatic approach to diplomacy that prioritizes strategic outcomes over ideological purity. By focusing on Syria’s potential role in regional stability rather than its internal politics, Trump’s administration is pursuing a realist foreign policy that aims to reduce American military commitments while strengthening alliances against common adversaries like Iran and terrorist organizations.