Washington — November 10, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
In a landmark diplomatic moment, U.S. President Donald Trump received Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa at the White House, marking the first time since Syria’s independence that a Syrian head of state has visited Washington.
The meeting culminated in a sweeping U.S. move: a 180-day suspension of key sanctions on Syria under the Caesar Act—an aggressive piece of legislation the U.S. has used for years to penalise Syria over alleged human-rights abuses.
Al-Sharaa’s journey to the Oval Office is remarkable. Once designated by the U.S. as a terrorist with a $10 million bounty for alleged al-Qaida ties, and imprisoned by U.S. forces in Iraq, he now stands as Syria’s post-Assad leader seeking normalisation.
According to U.S. Treasury and White House officials, the suspension of sanctions reflects an assessment that Syria has made “sufficient progress” in several areas: dismantling chemical-weapons remnants, committing to counter-terrorism efforts including the fight against the Islamic State, and initiating steps toward broader political stability.
During his remarks, Trump praised al-Sharaa for his leadership and stressed that the U.S. wants to “see Syria be successful” while engaging in a “very tough place.
Observers say the meeting signals a dramatic pivot in U.S.-Syria relations. Decades of isolation, sanctions and hostility—especially under the Bashar al‑Assad regime—appear to be giving way to a strategy of conditional engagement contingent on Syria’s cooperation in regional security and reconstruction.
Still, the path ahead is fraught. Israel and several Gulf states remain deeply cautious of Syria’s shifting alliances, Russia and Iran retain strong influence in Damascus, and questions linger about how deeply reforms will penetrate Syria’s fractured governance and humanitarian landscape. The White House did not allow reporters into the meeting room, underscoring the sensitive and high-stakes nature of the negotiations.
As the two leaders departed the White House, the message from Washington was clear: for Syria, this is a moment of “a chance at greatness” — provided that reconstruction, accountability and cooperation follow the handshake.