Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Washington on Saturday, marking a historic moment in US-Syria relations and the first visit by a Syrian head of state since 1946, when Syria gained independence from French rule. The visit — unprecedented in nearly eight decades — comes just one day after the United States officially removed Sharaa from its terrorism blacklist, a move that signals a major diplomatic shift following years of hostility.
Al-Sharaa, who rose to power after toppling Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024, is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday for formal talks expected to focus on post-war reconstruction, counterterrorism, and normalization of bilateral relations. The two leaders last met informally in Riyadh in May, during Trump’s regional tour, where early groundwork for this engagement was reportedly laid.
According to US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, the discussions in Washington will center on a framework for Syria’s participation in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) and broader counter-extremism efforts across the Middle East. Barrack described Sharaa’s visit as a “turning point in the new Syria’s international rehabilitation.”
Diplomatic sources in Damascus said Washington is also exploring the establishment of a joint military-humanitarian coordination base near Damascus, designed to monitor cross-border security dynamics with Israel and facilitate international aid distribution.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that the delisting of Sharaa was made after his administration met several key preconditions, including locating missing American nationals, halting chemical weapons programs, and securing commitments to democratic reforms. Pigott described the move as “recognition of tangible progress by Syria’s leadership after decades of repression under Assad,” adding that it would “enhance regional stability and enable a Syrian-led political process.”
Al-Sharaa’s visit follows his September address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he pledged to rebuild a “sovereign, reconciled, and peaceful Syria.” That appearance came shortly after the UN Security Council lifted sanctions against his government and the United States formally removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — his former insurgent group — from its list of designated terrorist organizations. HTS, once affiliated with al-Qaeda, has since been restructured under civilian oversight and rebranded as part of the Syrian National Coalition.
Since assuming power, Sharaa has attempted to recast his image from that of a battlefield commander once known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani to that of a pragmatic statesman committed to reconstruction and reconciliation. His government has launched a series of amnesty initiatives, reopened diplomatic channels with Arab neighbors, and sought Western investment to rebuild the nation’s shattered economy.
Analysts view the Washington visit as both symbolic and strategic. Michael Hanna, director of the International Crisis Group’s US program, called it “the ultimate transformation of a man once seen as a global pariah into a figure now welcomed in the Oval Office.” Hanna added that Trump’s decision to host Sharaa “reflects a transactional but calculated move — using economic engagement and recognition as leverage to stabilize the post-Assad order.”
During the talks, Sharaa is expected to request direct American and multilateral funding for Syria’s reconstruction, which the World Bank estimates at over USD 216 billion after thirteen years of devastating civil conflict. The plan reportedly includes rebuilding urban infrastructure, restoring oil production capacity, and reintegrating millions of displaced citizens.
For Washington, the visit offers an opportunity to reshape the balance of influence in Syria, reducing the sway of Russia and Iran, both of which remain deeply embedded in the country’s security apparatus. Trump is expected to frame the engagement as part of his broader “Middle East Stabilization Initiative,” aimed at leveraging American investment rather than military intervention to secure influence in post-war regions.
If successful, the White House meeting could mark the formal beginning of Syria’s reintegration into the global order — a dramatic turnaround for a nation long associated with dictatorship, war, and terrorism. Yet, as US officials acknowledge, the transition from former insurgent to international partner will remain fraught with skepticism, both in Washington and among Syria’s wary neighbors.
