Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Arrives in US for Historic Meeting with Donald Trump After Delisting

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in the United States for what is being described as a historic diplomatic milestone — the first official visit by a Syrian head of state since the country’s independence in 1946. His arrival marks a dramatic turnaround in US–Syria relations, coming just one day after Washington formally removed his name from its terrorism blacklist.

Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel forces ousted Bashar al-Assad last year, is scheduled to meet former US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The visit, analysts say, represents a profound shift in the West’s perception of Syria’s leadership — from a pariah state to a potential regional partner in the post-war Middle East order.

A Diplomatic Reset Decades in the Making

The delisting of President Sharaa from the US sanctions framework was confirmed by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, who said the move acknowledges Syria’s compliance with several international conditions. These include locating missing American citizens, dismantling residual chemical weapons, and taking verifiable steps to distance the government from extremist factions.

Pigott described the move as a “recognition of Syria’s commitment to a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process,” adding that it aligns with Washington’s broader goal of stabilising the region after years of turmoil.

Sources in Damascus told All India Story that the US is also considering the establishment of a small military base near Damascus, aimed at coordinating humanitarian operations and monitoring regional developments between Syria and Israel. While not confirmed officially, the proposal is seen as part of a strategic recalibration of US influence in the Middle East.

Sharaa’s Global Rehabilitation

Sharaa, a former rebel leader, has spent much of the past year rebuilding Syria’s diplomatic bridges. His September appearance at the UN General Assembly marked the first address by a Syrian president to the world body in over two decades. Shortly after, the UN Security Council lifted long-standing sanctions, and the United States delisted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a group once affiliated with Al-Qaeda but now integrated into Sharaa’s transitional administration — from its terror registry.

US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack expressed optimism that Sharaa’s visit could pave the way for a formal agreement allowing Syria to join the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS). “This visit symbolises the beginning of a new chapter in US–Syria relations,” Barrack said.

Economic Recovery and Strategic Talks

Sharaa is also expected to discuss Syria’s massive reconstruction needs, with estimates from the World Bank placing the total cost of recovery at USD 216 billion after more than a decade of civil war. Observers say the Syrian leader will seek financial aid, investment partnerships, and humanitarian support to rebuild the country’s devastated infrastructure and economy.

Political analyst Michael Hanna, from the International Crisis Group, noted that Sharaa’s visit is as much about optics as it is about policy.

“It’s a moment of global rebranding for Sharaa — from a battlefield commander to a statesman seeking legitimacy on the world stage,” Hanna remarked.

A Turning Point for Syria

The visit underscores Washington’s growing interest in integrating post-war Syria into broader regional frameworks that reduce Iranian and Russian influence. While critics caution that full normalisation remains distant, the delisting and White House reception are seen as strong signals of US willingness to engage with Damascus under new leadership.

As President Sharaa’s convoy moves through Washington, the moment carries both symbolic and strategic weight — a reminder that even after years of conflict and isolation, diplomacy still has the power to redraw the map of alliances in the Middle East.