President Trump meets with Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, offers to drop sanctions against Syria in exchange for normalizing relations and potentially joining the Abraham Accords.
Quick Takes
- Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, marking the first face-to-face meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years
- The U.S. offered to drop sanctions against Syria and normalize relations if certain conditions are met
- Syria is considering joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel
- Sharaa, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, claims to have cut ties with terrorist organizations and aims to build an inclusive government
- The move could reduce Chinese influence in the Middle East and further isolate Iran
Historic Meeting Signals Major Policy Shift
In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the first face-to-face meeting between American and Syrian leaders in a quarter-century. During the historic summit, Trump announced the United States would drop sanctions against Syria and explore normalizing relations with Damascus, conditional upon Syria meeting certain requirements including potential normalization with Israel. The meeting signals a major policy reversal for the United States, which has imposed severe economic sanctions on Syria since the early days of its civil war.
Trump praised Sharaa as a strong leader during their discussions in Riyadh, expressing optimism about Syria’s future under the new leadership. “We’ve had very good discussions about bringing peace to the region,” Trump told reporters after the meeting. “Syria has suffered tremendously, and I believe working together we can bring stability back to this important country.” The White House later released details of the meeting, highlighting that sanctions relief would be contingent on several conditions, including Syria’s cooperation on regional security matters.
From Jihadi Leader to President
The meeting represents a significant diplomatic victory for Sharaa, who seeks international recognition after overthrowing the Assad regime in December 2024. Formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, Sharaa previously led the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which had links to al-Qaeda. The U.S. has designated HTS a foreign terrorist organization since 2014, and Sharaa himself was listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2013. This controversial background has made the Trump administration’s engagement with the new Syrian leadership particularly notable.
Sharaa now leads a military junta and describes himself as an “interim” president, promising to hold democratic elections within four years. He has publicly claimed to have severed ties with terrorist organizations and expressed commitment to building an inclusive government representing all Syrians. “We are focused on reconstruction and reunification,” Sharaa stated after meeting with Trump. “Syria needs international partners to rebuild after years of devastating conflict, and we welcome America’s willingness to engage constructively.”
Trump announces U.S. will remove all sanctions against Syria to give the country ‘a chance at a greatness’ https://t.co/3TPLoic4Sh
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 13, 2025
Abraham Accords Expansion and Regional Implications
A key component of the proposed U.S.-Syria rapprochement involves Syria potentially joining the Abraham Accords, the Trump-brokered peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. This move could significantly reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics by further isolating Iran and reducing Chinese influence in the region. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have reportedly expressed support for the initiative, indicating regional powers may be willing to accept Syria’s reintegration into diplomatic circles.
Not all regional leaders share this enthusiasm, however. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong reservations about lifting sanctions on Syria, citing security concerns related to Sharaa’s background and potential Iranian influence. The White House has responded by outlining specific requirements for Syria, including deporting Palestinian terrorists, managing ISIS detention centers effectively, and demonstrating a commitment to regional stability. These conditions reflect the Trump administration’s focus on practical security arrangements rather than ideological concerns.
Pragmatic Foreign Policy Approach
The Trump-Sharaa meeting exemplifies the administration’s pragmatic approach to complex foreign policy challenges. By engaging with Syria’s new leadership rather than imposing regime change, Trump appears to be shifting away from the nation-building policies that characterized previous administrations. “We’re letting the Syrian people determine their own future,” a senior White House official stated. “Our priority is stability and American interests, not imposing our system on others.”
Analysts from across the political spectrum view the meeting as potentially transformative for the Middle East. While some express concerns about legitimizing a leader with ties to extremist groups, others praise the practical focus on results rather than ideological purity. The coming months will reveal whether this diplomatic gambit yields concrete progress toward peace and reconstruction in Syria, or whether longstanding regional tensions will undermine this unexpected opportunity for stability in one of the world’s most troubled regions.
Sources:
- Trump announces U.S. will remove sanctions on Syria
- Trump to remove US sanctions on Syria in major policy shift | Reuters
- Trump Meets with Syria’s Jihadi President, Offers Dropped Sanctions and Normal Relations
