Trump Courts Syria’s Assad With Offer to Drop Sanctions

President Trump made a historic breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy, meeting face-to-face with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and offering to lift crippling sanctions that have throttled the war-torn nation for years.

Key Takeaways

President Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, marking the first meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years
Trump announced the U.S. would drop sanctions against Syria and normalize relations if conditions are met
Syria is considering joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel
Sharaa, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, claims to have cut ties with terrorist organizations and aims to build an inclusive government
The meeting positions America to counter growing Chinese influence in the Middle East while further isolating Iran

Historic Meeting Breaks 25-Year Diplomatic Freeze

President Donald Trump’s meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia marks the first face-to-face encounter between American and Syrian leaders in a quarter century. The diplomatic breakthrough occurred during Trump’s Middle East trip, which included discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump announced the United States would drop sanctions against Syria and explore normalizing diplomatic relations, contingent on specific conditions being met by Damascus.

This dramatic policy shift represents a potential windfall for Syria’s fledgling government, which has been seeking international legitimacy since Sharaa overthrew the Assad regime in December 2024. The White House outlined several conditions Syria must fulfill, including deporting Palestinian terrorists, managing ISIS detention centers effectively, and improving relations with Israel. Trump emphasized that Syria’s potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords peace agreement would significantly enhance regional stability.

From Terrorist Designation to Presidential Recognition

The meeting carries particular significance given Sharaa’s controversial background. Formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, Sharaa previously led the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which maintained ties to al-Qaeda. The United States designated HTS a foreign terrorist organization in 2014, and Sharaa himself was listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2013. Despite this history, Sharaa has publicly claimed to have severed all connections with terrorist organizations.

Currently leading a military junta, Sharaa describes himself as an “interim” president and has promised democratic elections within four years. Trump praised Sharaa as a strong leader during their meeting, expressing optimism about Syria’s future under his leadership. This pragmatic approach reflects Trump’s consistent foreign policy philosophy of prioritizing American interests and regional stability over ideological concerns about the internal governance of foreign nations.

Trump announces U.S. will remove all sanctions against Syria to give the country ‘a chance at a greatness’ https://t.co/3TPLoic4Sh

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 13, 2025

Strategic Implications for Regional Power Balance

The diplomatic overture toward Syria represents a strategic calculation with far-reaching implications for the Middle East power balance. By potentially bringing Syria into the Abraham Accords, Trump aims to reduce Chinese influence in the region while further isolating Iran, which has used Syria as a proxy state for years. The move also signals a decisive shift away from the nation-building policies of previous administrations, allowing Syria to determine its own future without excessive American intervention.

Not all regional players have embraced this diplomatic initiative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to lifting sanctions on Syria, citing ongoing security concerns. This hesitation highlights the complex web of interests at play in Middle Eastern diplomacy, where historical enmities and security considerations frequently complicate peace efforts. Trump’s meeting with Sharaa suggests he believes these obstacles can be overcome through direct engagement and pragmatic diplomacy.

A New Chapter in American Middle East Policy

International media outlets including Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post have characterized the meeting as a significant diplomatic development that could legitimize Syria’s new government on the world stage. The initiative reflects Trump’s signature approach to foreign policy—bypassing traditional diplomatic channels in favor of direct leader-to-leader engagement. By meeting with Sharaa despite his controversial past, Trump demonstrates his willingness to engage with any leader who can advance American interests and regional stability.

This diplomatic breakthrough with Syria represents another potential foreign policy achievement for President Trump, whose first term saw the negotiation of the Abraham Accords that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. If successful, bringing Syria into this framework would expand the zone of stability in the Middle East and potentially create new economic opportunities for American businesses in the region’s reconstruction efforts. The coming months will reveal whether this bold diplomatic gambit yields the strategic dividends Trump clearly believes it can.