U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the White Home on Monday, marking the primary time {that a} Syrian head of state has visited Washington in virtually 80 years. The assembly—notable additionally for Sharaa’s historical past because the chief of al Qaeda’s Syria affiliate—represents a significant thawing of relations with the onetime pariah state.
Sharaa is hoping to make use of that “robust man” picture to strike a cope with america to completely elevate U.S. sanctions on Syria. In 2019, Trump imposed sanctions beneath the Caesar Act to punish Damascus for alleged widespread human rights abuses beneath Assad’s regime. However in June, Trump waived these penalties by way of an govt order, citing the necessity to “give Syrians an opportunity at greatness.”
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the White Home on Monday, marking the primary time {that a} Syrian head of state has visited Washington in virtually 80 years. The assembly—notable additionally for Sharaa’s historical past because the chief of al Qaeda’s Syria affiliate—represents a significant thawing of relations with the onetime pariah state.
Sharaa is hoping to make use of that “robust man” picture to strike a cope with america to completely elevate U.S. sanctions on Syria. In 2019, Trump imposed sanctions beneath the Caesar Act to punish Damascus for alleged widespread human rights abuses beneath Assad’s regime. However in June, Trump waived these penalties by way of an govt order, citing the necessity to “give Syrians an opportunity at greatness.”
Trump appeared to attempt to appease Sharaa’s calls for on Monday by having the Treasury Division announce that it’s halting most sanctions on Syria, aside from these involving transactions with Russia and Iran. However Sharaa seeks a everlasting resolution, which requires an act of Congress, and U.S. lawmakers seem hesitant to grant such a request until Damascus adheres to a number of circumstances, comparable to guaranteeing non secular pluralism within the nation and enhancing ties with Israel.
However Sharaa will not be the one one in search of to achieve from a brand new U.S.-Syria partnership. Trump is hoping to persuade Damascus to affix Washington’s 89-country coalition devoted to combating the Islamic State—one thing that Syria’s new army and its Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces already do. He additionally goals to increase the Abraham Accords by having Syria formalize ties with Israel, set up a army presence at Mezzeh airbase in Damascus, and construct a Trump Tower within the capital.
Learn extra in in the present day’s World Transient: Sharaa’s White Home Go to Marks a Reshaping of the Regional Order.
This submit is a part of FP’s ongoing protection of the Trump administration. Comply with alongside right here.
