For the first time in 25 years, an American president met face-to-face with Syria’s head of state. Former President Donald Trump sat down with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy. The 33-minute meeting came as part of Trump’s multi-nation tour of the region.
Trump, who had announced the day before that he was lifting sanctions on Syria, used the meeting to urge al-Sharaa to take control of ISIS detention centers in northeast Syria, drive out all foreign terrorists, and consider joining the Abraham Accords—a series of normalization deals between Israel and Arab nations. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the meeting was arranged with the help of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined by phone.
“He’s got a real shot at holding it together,” Trump said, referring to al-Sharaa. “It’s a torn-up country.” He described the Syrian leader as a “tough guy” with a “very strong past,” suggesting he may have what it takes to bring stability after decades of civil war and regime oppression.
The meeting signals a notable pivot from the long-standing policy of isolating Syria. Al-Sharaa assumed power after overthrowing former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, and his reputation as a moderate with ties to militant groups presents both promise and risk. Trump’s willingness to engage reflects his broader foreign policy approach: deal-making over prolonged intervention.
Regional leaders welcomed the move. Erdogan and the Saudi crown prince both praised Trump for lifting the sanctions. “The Crown Prince also commended President Trump for his decision to lift the sanctions, calling it courageous,” Leavitt reported. Trump in turn emphasized the potential for Syria to “do something historic” and serve as a bridge between East and West.
The White House says the two leaders also discussed counterterrorism strategies, chemical weapons dismantlement, and rebuilding Syria’s oil and gas sector. Al-Sharaa expressed his desire to restore trade links and invited American investment, despite past associations with extremist networks like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Al-Qaeda.
During the meeting, al-Sharaa reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel and reiterated interest in regional peace and economic development. “President Al-Sharaa concluded with his hope that Syria would serve as a critical link in facilitating trade between East and West,” Leavitt added.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry echoed the sentiment, stating that Trump “affirmed that the administration in Washington is committed to playing a positive and constructive role during this sensitive period.” Following the meeting, Trump departed for Qatar, continuing his diplomatic tour through the Middle East.
The move to re-engage with Syria marks a significant realignment. Instead of maintaining punitive sanctions that have failed to curb violence or extremism, Trump’s strategy banks on economic engagement and diplomatic pressure. The decision will face scrutiny, especially given al-Sharaa’s murky associations, but it reflects a pragmatic approach: empowering regional players to take responsibility for security while opening the door for U.S. influence through investment and negotiation.
