Trump Shocks With Syria Outreach, Proposes Restored Relations

President Trump shocked the diplomatic world by meeting with Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and offering to lift long-standing U.S. sanctions against the war-torn nation, potentially bringing Syria into normalized relations with both America and Israel.

Key Insights

Trump’s meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia marks the first face-to-face meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years
The U.S. is moving to lift sanctions against Syria and normalize relations, contingent on Syria improving ties with Israel
Sharaa, formerly linked to al-Qaeda as Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, now leads Syria after ousting the Assad regime in December 2024
This diplomatic shift could expand the Abraham Accords, reduce Chinese influence in the Middle East, and further isolate Iran

Historic Diplomatic Breakthrough

In a stunning diplomatic development, President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa during talks in Saudi Arabia this week. The historic meeting, which represents the first direct engagement between American and Syrian leaders in a quarter-century, signals a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle Eastern nation. Trump wasted no time announcing his administration’s intention to drop economic sanctions against Syria and explore the normalization of relations with Damascus, a move that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles worldwide.

The meeting holds significant implications for regional stability and marks a potential turning point for Syria, which has endured years of civil war and international isolation. During their discussions, Trump praised Sharaa as a strong leader and expressed optimism about Syria’s future. The administration’s outreach comes after Sharaa overthrew the Assad regime in December 2024, establishing himself as the head of a military junta that has promised democratic elections within four years. For Sharaa, Trump’s willingness to engage represents a major diplomatic victory in his quest for international legitimacy.

From Terrorist Designation to Presidential Recognition

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of this diplomatic outreach is Sharaa’s background. Before becoming Syria’s interim president, he was known as Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an insurgent group previously affiliated with al-Qaeda. The U.S. has designated HTS as a foreign terrorist organization since 2014, and Sharaa himself was listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2013. This dramatic transformation from terrorist designation to presidential recognition has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.

Despite his controversial past, Sharaa has publicly claimed to have severed ties with terrorist organizations and has expressed commitment to building an inclusive government in Syria. The White House has outlined specific tasks for Syria’s new leadership, including deporting Palestinian terrorists and properly managing ISIS detention centers. Trump’s administration appears to be taking a pragmatic approach, prioritizing regional stability and potential strategic advantages over historical concerns about Sharaa’s background and connections.

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

Abraham Accords Expansion and Regional Implications

A central component of Trump’s diplomatic initiative involves the potential inclusion of Syria in the Abraham Accords, the landmark peace agreements that have normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. According to reports, Syria is actively considering joining the Accords, which would represent another major foreign policy victory for Trump. Such a development could significantly reduce Chinese influence in the Middle East while further isolating Iran, a longtime supporter of the previous Assad regime and adversary of both the United States and Israel.

However, not all regional players are enthusiastic about Trump’s outreach to Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to lifting sanctions, citing security concerns. Trump addressed these concerns directly during the talks, emphasizing that Syria must improve relations with Israel and contribute to regional stability as conditions for normalized relations with the United States. The president also discussed the lifting of sanctions with key regional allies, including Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A Shift Away from Nation-Building

Trump’s engagement with Syria’s new leadership represents a significant departure from previous U.S. approaches to the region. Rather than pursuing regime change or nation-building initiatives that characterized earlier administrations, Trump appears to be embracing a policy that allows Syria to determine its own future while ensuring it aligns with broader American interests in the region. Middle Eastern news outlets including Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post have characterized the meeting as a major diplomatic development that could legitimize Syria’s new government on the international stage.

This pragmatic approach to foreign policy, prioritizing concrete results over ideological concerns, has become a hallmark of Trump’s presidency. By engaging directly with Syria’s leadership rather than attempting to dictate outcomes through sanctions and isolation, the administration is betting that economic incentives and regional integration will prove more effective at achieving stability than punitive measures. Whether this diplomatic gamble will pay off remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents one of the boldest foreign policy initiatives of Trump’s presidency.