President Donald Trump had a brief meeting with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Wednesday. This meeting came shortly after Trump announced that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria. These sanctions were originally put in place to pressure the government led by Bashar al-Assad.
During their conversation, Trump praised Sharaa, calling him a “young, attractive guy—tough guy” with potential to help stabilize Syria, which has been ravaged by war. Trump also urged Sharaa to sign the Abraham Accords, aiming to normalize Syria’s relationship with Israel. He asked Sharaa to take action against terrorists in Syria and to work with regional partners to combat ISIS. In a gesture of goodwill, Sharaa invited American companies to invest in Syria’s oil and gas sectors.
This meeting marks a significant moment for Sharaa, who is trying to rebuild Syria after his forces, backed by Turkey, ousted Assad’s government and brought an end to the Syrian Civil War. While some in the West view Sharaa with caution due to his past connections to Al Qaeda, he has committed to respecting the rights of various ethnic and religious groups and aims to establish a peaceful and democratic government.
The discussions between Trump and Sharaa highlight a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Syria, as the Biden administration has taken a more cautious approach. The outcome of this meeting could have implications for the future of Syria and its relationships in the region.