The United States has pledged its full support for Syria under its new president, Ahmed al-Shara, a former al-Qaeda commander recently removed from U.S. terrorism lists, marking an unprecedented pivot in Washington’s policy towards the war-torn nation.
President Donald Trump vowed, “We will do everything we can to make Syria successful,” following historic talks with Al-Shara in Washington. Trump praised Al-Shara as a “strong leader” and acknowledged his controversial past, stating, “Everyone has had a difficult past.”
Al-Shara’s visit marks the first time a Syrian leader has traveled to the U.S. capital. The meeting occurred six months after their initial encounter in Saudi Arabia, where Trump first announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria.
The U.S. Treasury Department has extended a waiver for sanctions imposed under the “Caesar Act” by 180 days. This temporary relief aims to facilitate Syria’s re-engagement with the international community, though a full repeal requires Congressional approval.
Al-Shara, 43, assumed power late last year after his armed forces successfully overthrew former dictator Bashar al-Assad on December 8. His new government has rapidly shifted Syria’s geopolitical alignment, moving away from its traditional reliance on Iran and Russia to forge new ties with Turkey, Gulf states, and now the U.S.
A key objective for President Al-Shara is the complete lifting of the Caesar Act sanctions. This is seen as crucial for attracting global investors to rebuild the country, which has endured over 14 years of war and requires an estimated $200 billion for reconstruction, according to the World Bank.
In the U.S. Congress, several lawmakers from both Democratic and Republican parties have begun advocating for the removal of sanctions. While some opposition remains, political pressure from the Trump administration could sway the outcome.
The U.S. is also reportedly mediating security talks between Syria and Israel, despite Israel’s continued apprehension regarding Al-Shara’s past involvement in terrorist activities. Reuters news agency has reported that the U.S. plans to establish a military base in Damascus.
Hours before the Washington meeting, Syrian authorities revealed they had thwarted two assassination plots by the Islamic State group against Al-Shara in recent months. Over the weekend, Syria conducted a nationwide sweep, arresting more than 70 suspects.
Al-Shara’s path to power is marked by a dramatic transformation. He joined al-Qaeda in Iraq following the 2003 U.S. invasion and was later imprisoned by the U.S. military. Returning to Syria in 2011, he joined the resistance against Assad.
In 2013, the U.S. designated him a terrorist under the name “Abu Muhammad al-Golani,” with a $10 million bounty on his head. He publicly disavowed al-Qaeda in 2016. Last December, the U.S. rescinded the bounty, and last week, the United Nations Security Council officially removed him and Syria’s Interior Minister from its terrorism sanctions list.
Despite the U.S. rapprochement, Syria continues to grapple with sectarian violence and internal conflicts, which have claimed over 2,500 lives since Assad’s fall. This instability raises questions about the new government’s capacity to unify the country effectively.
Trump’s intensified focus on Syria comes as his administration simultaneously works to maintain a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. is also pushing forward with its 20-point peace plan to resolve the two-year-long conflict in the region.