Overview
- Ahmed al‑Sharaa became the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House since 1946, meeting President Donald Trump and declaring Syria’s intent to join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
- The U.S. moved to suspend key Caesar Act enforcement for 180 days and delisted al‑Sharaa from terrorism designations to facilitate cooperation.
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Damascus will assist against ISIS and cited commitments to counter the IRGC, Hamas and Hezbollah, framing the visit as a regional turning point.
- Barrack described a follow‑on framework discussed with Turkish and Syrian officials that includes integrating the SDF into Syria’s structures and addressing regional security alignments.
- Footage from the visit showed Trump joking with al‑Sharaa, while Barrack publicly urged Congress to fully repeal the Caesar Act to cement the policy shift.