Syrian President to Visit White House for Historic Talks

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to make history later this month as he visits the White House, marking the first official visit by a Syrian leader to Washington. This significant diplomatic meeting will involve discussions on various critical issues, including the potential lifting of sanctions, the reconstruction of Syria, and counter-terrorism efforts against the Islamic State (IS). The announcement was made by Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during the Manama Dialogue panel in Bahrain on November 2.

Al-Sharaa’s visit, expected in early November, signifies a pivotal moment in U.S.-Syria relations. “This visit is certainly historic,” al-Shaibani stated, emphasizing the necessity of international support in the ongoing fight against IS. He noted that discussions will also focus on rebuilding Syria after more than a decade of conflict, which has devastated the nation.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed that this trip will be unprecedented, as no Syrian president has previously made an official visit to the United States. Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Syria, expressed optimism that al-Sharaa would sign an agreement to join the U.S.-led international alliance against IS during his time in Washington.

This visit will be al-Sharaa’s second trip to the U.S.; he previously attended a significant United Nations meeting in September, becoming the first Syrian president in decades to address the UN General Assembly in New York. His first meeting with President Donald Trump occurred in May during a visit to Riyadh, where Trump indicated a willingness to lift economic sanctions on Syria, an issue that will likely be revisited during this upcoming visit.

Context of Ongoing Negotiations

Syria’s relationship with neighboring Israel remains complex, as the two countries are technically still at war. However, following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2022 by an Islamist coalition, direct negotiations have resumed. Trump has expressed hopes that Syria might normalize relations with Israel, similar to other Arab nations under the so-called Abraham Accords. Despite this, al-Shaibani clarified that Syria’s participation in these accords is not currently under consideration.

A Syrian official previously indicated expectations of finalizing security and military agreements with Israel by 2025, which could represent a significant diplomatic breakthrough shortly after al-Assad’s removal. Since December 2022, Israel has deployed troops in a UN-patrolled buffer zone, launching hundreds of strikes within Syria while refraining from direct retaliation from Damascus.

Al-Shaibani asserted, “We do not want Syria to enter a new war, and Syria is not currently in a position to threaten any party, including Israel.” He emphasized that ongoing negotiations are aimed at establishing a security agreement that respects the 1974 ceasefire arrangement with Israel and does not recognize any new realities imposed by Israel in the southern region.

As al-Sharaa prepares for his landmark visit, the world watches closely, anticipating the potential implications for Syrian reconstruction, counter-terrorism efforts, and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.