Trump Hosts Syria's Ahmed al‑Sharaa at the White House in First‑Ever Visit

Overview

• Al‑Sharaa met President Trump at the White House on November 10, marking the first visit to Washington by a Syrian leader since the country’s independence.
• The U.S. State Department on November 7 removed al‑Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from its sanctions list following recent shifts in Syria’s leadership.
• The UN Security Council suspended terrorism‑related sanctions on both men, and U.S. and U.K. authorities lifted special terrorist designations as a prior $10 million U.S. reward for al‑Sharaa’s capture was withdrawn.
• Talks are expected to focus on security, including U.S. efforts to mediate arrangements between Syria and Israel after the fall of Bashar al‑Assad.
• The White House and State Department back revoking the Caesar Act sanctions, but any repeal requires congressional approval with influential lawmakers split on the issue.