Trump Hosts Syria’s Al-Sharaa at White House in Diplomatic First/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House for a closed-door meeting, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state. The leaders discussed Syria’s entry into the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS and future sanctions relief. Al-Sharaa, once linked to al-Qaeda, now leads post-Assad Syria after taking power in January.
Trump Meets Syria’s Al-Sharaa: Quick Looks
- President Trump held a closed-door meeting Monday with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
- It marked the first-ever White House visit by a Syrian head of state.
- Al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader once tied to al-Qaeda, took power in January.
- The two leaders discussed Syria joining the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.
- Al-Sharaa seeks permanent repeal of sanctions tied to Assad-era abuses.
- Trump called al-Sharaa “strong” and praised recent progress in U.S.-Syria relations.
- The meeting was not publicized or open to media coverage.
- Proposed U.S. legislation could determine the future of Syria sanctions.
Deep Look
Trump Hosts Syrian President Al-Sharaa in Landmark White House Meeting
In a historic moment of diplomatic engagement, President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday — the first time a Syrian head of state has visited the executive residence since Syria’s independence nearly 80 years ago.
The closed-door meeting, which began shortly after 11:30 a.m., marks a pivotal shift in U.S.-Syria relations following years of sanctions, civil war, and international isolation. Al-Sharaa entered through a discreet entrance along West Executive Avenue rather than the traditional West Wing driveway — a quiet but symbolic approach for a once-blacklisted figure now embraced by the White House.
From Rebel Commander to Washington Guest
Al-Sharaa rose to power after leading the armed opposition that overthrew longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad last December. Once labeled a global terrorist and affiliated with al-Qaeda, he was delisted by the U.S. earlier this year after the United Nations lifted its own sanctions on him and Syria’s interior minister.
His elevation to Syria’s interim leadership in January was quickly followed by initial diplomatic outreach. Trump and al-Sharaa first met in May in Saudi Arabia during a regional summit, with Trump describing him as a “tough guy” with a “very strong past.”
While controversial, the move reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reframe U.S. foreign policy through direct diplomacy — even with former adversaries.
Inside the Meeting: Anti-ISIS Alliance and Sanctions Relief
According to officials familiar with the agenda, a key item in Monday’s meeting was securing Syria’s formal entry into the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS. Though Syrian rebel forces and Kurdish-led militias have been actively combating remnants of the Islamic State for years, Syria’s official participation represents a significant policy turn.
A senior administration official described the meeting as a “reset in regional engagement,” stating that closer coordination could strengthen on-the-ground counterterrorism efforts.
Al-Sharaa, however, came to Washington with his own goals — primarily seeking permanent relief from U.S. sanctions that remain in place due to widespread abuses under Assad’s rule. While President Trump has waived key provisions of the Caesar Act, removing sanctions permanently would require an act of Congress.
Two competing legislative proposals are now under consideration:
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has introduced a clean repeal of sanctions with no strings attached, citing Syria’s transitional government as a reason for immediate normalization.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) supports a more cautious approach, proposing conditional repeal subject to six-month reviews, citing national security concerns.
Al-Sharaa and his advocates argue that conditional waivers would scare away potential investors and freeze Syria’s fragile reconstruction. Mouaz Moustafa, director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, warned that lingering uncertainty acts like a “hanging shadow” over Syria’s future.
White House Strategy: Quiet but Bold
Unlike other visits from foreign leaders, this meeting was not accompanied by the usual ceremonial welcome. No joint photo-op, no press access to the Oval Office — an intentional move, officials suggest, designed to maintain flexibility in a highly sensitive diplomatic effort.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the visit fits into the president’s philosophy of “unconventional diplomacy,” and reflects his willingness “to meet with anyone in the pursuit of peace.”
Trump has expressed growing confidence in the new Syrian leadership, telling reporters recently that “a lot of progress has been made” since sanctions were eased, and calling al-Sharaa’s leadership “very strong” so far.
International Context and Next Steps
Al-Sharaa’s visit comes just weeks after the United Nations Security Council voted to lift its terrorism designation for key Syrian officials — a move seen as a major signal of international willingness to reengage with Damascus following the fall of the Assad regime.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack recently stated that discussions were also underway regarding a potential border security agreement between Syria and Israel — a longstanding flashpoint. Reaching a deal on border demilitarization by the end of the year remains a key goal for the administration, according to sources familiar with ongoing talks.
Whether Monday’s meeting leads to lasting change in the U.S.-Syria dynamic remains to be seen, but the fact that it happened at all marks a striking chapter in Trump’s foreign policy legacy — one defined by bold, headline-making moves that challenge conventional norms.
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