Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Trump Hosts Syria’s Al‑Sharaa as U.S. Pauses Caesar Sanctions for 180 Days, Syria to Join Anti‑ISIS Coalition

Congress must act to permanently lift sanctions despite the administration’s six‑month enforcement pause.

Overview

  • The Oval Office meeting was the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the White House since 1946 and focused on security and economic issues, according to accounts from both sides.
  • The Treasury Department announced a 180‑day suspension of enforcement of key Caesar Act measures that allows limited economic engagement but does not repeal the law.
  • A senior U.S. official said Syria will become the 90th member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and Washington will permit Damascus to reopen its embassy for counterterrorism coordination.
  • Al‑Sharaa was delisted from U.S. terrorism designations days before the visit; he told Fox News his al‑Qaeda ties are a thing of the past and said any U.S. military presence should be coordinated with the Syrian government.
  • Syrian authorities reported foiling two ISIS assassination plots against al‑Sharaa and arresting more than 70 suspects, while unresolved files include Kurdish SDF integration and security arrangements with Israel.