Overview
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack and a White House official say the meeting is planned for around November 10 at the White House.
- Al-Sharaa is expected to sign on to the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS during the visit, according to U.S. officials.
- Washington is mediating Syria–Israel de-escalation talks that officials describe as close to agreement, targeting an end to Israeli airstrikes and withdrawals from southern Syria.
- The outreach coincides with moves to ease Syria restrictions as the administration supports repealing the Caesar sanctions, with any permanent changes requiring congressional action.
- Al-Sharaa’s past as a former HTS leader with prior al-Qaeda links and a U.S. bounty remains a central concern in debates over renewed engagement.