Trump Hosts Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Historic US Visit

In a historic diplomatic event, President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House on Monday, marking the first official visit by a Syrian head of state since Syria gained independence from France in 1946. The visit comes as part of a broader US effort to integrate Syria into a global coalition to fight the Islamic State group.

Al-Sharaa, who previously led the rebel forces that ousted former Syrian President Bashar Assad last December, assumed the role of interim president in January. The US lifted decades-old sanctions on Syria as part of this diplomatic rapprochement, enabling closer military and strategic collaboration.

Trump and al-Sharaa first met in May in Saudi Arabia, where Trump described him as a “strong past, very strong past” fighter. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted that the visit underscores the president’s commitment to global diplomacy and efforts to engage with international leaders in pursuit of peace.

The Syrian leader arrives with a key agenda: the permanent repeal of sanctions that were initially imposed in response to human rights abuses under the Assad regime. While the US has temporarily waived Caesar Act sanctions, a permanent repeal would require congressional approval. Proposals from Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsey Graham outline options for unconditional or conditional removal of sanctions, each with significant implications for US-Syria economic and strategic ties.

Analysts suggest that Syria’s participation in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State could bolster regional security efforts. The new Syrian military, alongside Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, has already been active in the northeast fighting extremist groups.

Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, emphasized that permanent sanctions relief could unlock international investments and stabilize Syria’s post-conflict recovery, warning that conditional sanctions would continue to stifle economic opportunities.

As the world watches this historic meeting, the Trump administration positions itself at the forefront of reestablishing diplomatic and strategic ties with Syria, signaling a new chapter in Middle Eastern diplomacy.