U.S. President Donald Trump met Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a historic first U.S.-Syria leader summit in 25 years.
Joined by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via phone, the meeting followed Trump’s decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, aiming to give the war-torn nation a shot at recovery.
The move has sparked global attention, with implications for Middle East stability and beyond.
Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, once led the Al Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate, with a $10 million U.S. bounty on him until December 2024.
His forces ousted Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, ending decades of oppressive rule. Now leading Syria’s transitional government, Al-Sharaa discussed stabilization with Trump, who pushed for normalizing ties with Israel, expelling foreign “terrorists,” and preventing an ISIS comeback.
Al-Sharaa expressed openness to the Abraham Accords, a U.S.-led Arab-Israeli normalization deal, but emphasized Syria’s need to rebuild first.
The sanctions lifted, including those under the Caesar Act, has been met with celebration in Syria. Crowds in Damascus and Homs waved Syrian and Saudi flags, chanting support for Saudi Arabia’s role.
A Damascus resident, George, told CNN the decision could revive Syria’s economy, where 90% of people live in poverty after 13 years of civil war. Still, some Syrians, especially minorities, remain cautious about al-Sharaa’s jihadist past and its potential impact on governance.
The summit, described as “extremely positive” by a senior Saudi source, reflects a broader regional push. Qatar, a key advocate for sanctions relief, also secured a $200 billion deal with Trump for 160 Boeing jets, signaling shifting alliances.
However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced concerns, warning of risks akin to Hamas-led attacks if Syria’s transition falters.
Trump’s engagement, backed by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, marks a pragmatic conservative approach to diplomacy, betting on Syria’s potential to stabilize. The world is watching to see if this monumental move reshapes the Middle East.
