United States President Donald Trump is set to welcome Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House on November 10, 2025, marking a historic moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations. This visit will be the first by a Syrian leader to Washington, D.C., in over 80 years, signaling a potential shift in US-Syria relations after years of tension and isolation.

The announcement was made by Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during a speech on Sunday in Bahrain. Al-Shaibani emphasized that the visit represents a “new chapter” that could pave the way for strengthened economic, diplomatic, and security ties between Damascus and Washington.

A New Era in US-Syria Relations

“This is a historic visit,” said al-Shaibani. “We have many critical issues to address, starting with the lifting of US sanctions and the development of a strong partnership between Syria and the United States.” The Syrian government has faced extensive sanctions imposed by the US and its allies over the past decade due to the actions of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took control from Assad in December 2024, has been on a mission to rebuild diplomatic bridges and reintegrate Syria into the international community. His administration has already shown a willingness to work with global powers that once opposed Syria’s government under Assad.

Expected Discussions: Sanctions, Security, and Anti-ISIL Cooperation

US media outlet Axios reported that Tom Barrack, Trump’s special envoy to Syria, disclosed that al-Sharaa may sign a significant agreement during the visit. The deal is expected to formalize Syria’s participation in a US-led international coalition against the armed group ISIL (also known as ISIS). This move could dramatically alter regional security dynamics and demonstrate Syria’s commitment to combating extremism.

During the upcoming White House meeting, Trump and al-Sharaa are expected to discuss several crucial issues, including:

• The possibility of lifting or easing US economic sanctions imposed on Syria
• Rebuilding bilateral diplomatic relations after decades of animosity
• Strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism efforts against ISIL
• Prospects for long-term stability in the Middle East

A Leader with a Complex Past

President al-Sharaa’s rise to power and political journey are well known in the region. Once a key figure in Syria’s anti-Assad resistance, he was linked to the al-Qaeda offshoot in Syria before distancing himself from extremist networks. By 2015, his group had split from ISIL and even engaged in clashes against it. Al-Sharaa was once on the US most-wanted list, with a $10 million bounty issued by Washington due to his suspected involvement in armed activities against US forces in Iraq.

In a dramatic shift in global diplomacy, al-Sharaa met President Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 14, 2025. The encounter was the first between leaders of the two nations in more than 25 years and took place during a Gulf Cooperation Council summit. Analysts hailed the meeting as a turning point for US-Syria relations.

Al-Sharaa also addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2025, where he called for cooperation and regional peace.

Middle East Peace Efforts

The Syrian leader’s upcoming visit comes as the US continues to advocate for broader peace initiatives in the Middle East. The fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which began in late September, has opened up fresh dialogue across the region. Washington hopes that momentum will carry into discussions involving Syria and Israel, who are reportedly negotiating an deal to halt Israeli air strikes on Syrian territory and potentially withdraw Israeli forces from southern Syria.

What’s at Stake

Al-Sharaa’s visit is not only symbolic but potentially transformative. If successful, it could help restore Syria’s position on the world stage and offer economic relief to its struggling population. It could also strengthen US influence in the Middle East at a time when regional alliances are rapidly shifting.

The world will be watching closely as President Ahmed al-Sharaa steps onto the White House grounds this November—marking a historic chapter in US-Syrian relations and potentially redefining the political landscape in the Middle East.