Overview
- Al-Sharaa became the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House after the U.N. Security Council and the U.S. removed terrorism designations on him and his interior minister.
- Syria is expected to sign onto the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS during the visit, a step U.S. officials say would formalize expanded coordination against ISIS remnants.
- Trump has suspended key sanctions for six months and is urging Congress to repeal the Caesar Act, while lawmakers debate conditions tied to minority protections and regional security.
- U.S. plans reported by diplomatic sources include establishing a military presence near Damascus and brokering a Syria–Israel security understanding, though neither has been formally announced.
- Rights advocates and some members of Congress caution against rapid normalization without accountability guarantees as Syria seeks reconstruction financing estimated at about $216 billion and engages international lenders.