In a historic diplomatic breakthrough, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, marking the first-ever visit by a Syrian head of state to the American presidential residence.
A Remarkable Transformation
The meeting comes barely a year after al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader, overthrew the long-standing autocratic regime of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024. The 42-year-old president has been actively working to end Syria's international isolation that characterized the Assad era.
This landmark encounter follows the two leaders' initial meeting in Saudi Arabia, which occurred shortly after the United States removed al-Sharaa from its "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" list. The Syrian president, who was once associated with al-Qaeda during the US-led Iraq invasion, has witnessed a dramatic transformation in how Western powers perceive him.
Security and Strategic Shifts
The primary focus of Monday's discussions will be security cooperation between the two nations. According to Reuters reports, the United States is considering establishing a military base in Damascus and is actively mediating a security agreement between Syria and Israel.
This represents a significant geopolitical realignment for Syria, which under Assad maintained close ties with Iran and Russia. The new government under al-Sharaa is now actively cultivating stronger relationships with Gulf countries, Turkey, and the United States.
President Trump has already expressed support for the new Syrian leadership, announcing after their Riyadh meeting that he would lift all sanctions on Syria. "I think he's doing a very good job. It's a tough neighborhood, and he's a tough guy, but I got along with him very well," Trump remarked about al-Sharaa.
Overcoming Legal Hurdles
However, one significant obstacle remains—the Caesar Sanctions Act. While both the White House and State Department support lifting these sanctions, the move requires approval from the US Congress, which could prove challenging given the ongoing government shutdown in Washington.
If these sanctions are successfully repealed, it could open the door for much-needed investment in Syria, a country devastated by 14 years of continuous conflict.
Firas Maksad, managing director for Middle East and North Africa at the New York-based Eurasia Group, told Reuters: "Sharaa's visit to Washington is emblematic of the dramatic shift underway, where Syria went from being an Iranian satrapy to joining the American-led camp, and Sharaa himself transformed from a wanted terrorist to a partner in the war on terror."
This meeting marks the first encounter between US and Syrian heads of government since 2000, when President Bill Clinton met Hafez Assad, father of the deposed Bashar al-Assad.
