Trump to Host Syria’s Interim Leader Al-Sharaa in Washington — A Historic Step Toward U.S.–Syria Reconciliation

In what could mark a turning point in U.S.–Syria relations, President Donald Trump is set to host Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in Washington on November 10, according to the U.S. envoy to Damascus. If confirmed, this will be the first-ever visit by a Syrian president to the U.S. capital, signalling a major diplomatic shift after decades of hostility. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack told Axios that al-Sharaa is expected to sign an agreement during his visit to join the U.S.-led international coalition against ISIS (ISIL). A Syrian source quoted by Reuters said preparations for the trip were already underway and that the visit would take place within two weeks. The U.S. State Department’s records show that no previous Syrian leader has paid an official visit to Washington, underscoring the historic nature of this meeting. From Rebel Leader to President Ahmad al-Sharaa came to power last December after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, ending more than 50 years of Assad family rule. Since then, al-Sharaa has sought to rebuild Syria’s relationships with countries that had isolated Damascus during Assad’s regime. He met with Trump earlier this year in Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit — the first meeting between the two nations’ leaders in 25 years. That encounter was widely seen as a significant step toward reintegrating Syria into international diplomacy. During that meeting, Trump announced that the U.S. would lift sanctions on Syria and invited Damascus to participate in the Abraham Accords, encouraging regional cooperation and peace. Joining the Fight Against ISIS Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Barrack said Washington is working to bring Syria into the U.S.-led alliance fighting ISIS. “We are trying to get everybody to be a partner in this alliance, which is huge for them,” he said. For years, the U.S. coalition and its local partners have fought ISIS, which at its peak controlled vast areas of Syria and Iraq before being defeated in 2019. However, al-Sharaa’s past adds complexity to this new partnership. Once known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, he led a faction that was originally part of al-Qaeda before breaking away and later clashing with ISIS. He also fought U.S. troops in Iraq and was once imprisoned by American forces, with a $10 million U.S. bounty once placed on his head. Regional Implications The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic activity in the Middle East. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to hold after months of conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, Syria and Israel are reportedly engaged in U.S.-mediated talks aimed at halting Israeli airstrikes and facilitating a withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Syria. According to Barrack, both sides are “close to an agreement,” though no timeline has been announced. If al-Sharaa’s Washington visit proceeds as planned, it could reshape regional alliances and give the transitional Syrian government long-sought international legitimacy. For the United States, it offers a chance to bring Syria back into the fold and strengthen a united front against extremist threats in the region. While challenges remain — including lingering mistrust, unresolved sanctions, and concerns from Israel — the planned Al-Sharaa visit to the U.S. marks a remarkable shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy and may open the door to a new chapter in U.S.–Syria relations.

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