Overview
- Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shar' is reported to be preparing to meet President Donald Trump at the White House, signaling the most direct engagement between Washington and Damascus in years.
- Media reports say Al-Shar' is expected to sign paperwork for Damascus to join the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS during the visit.
- Experts cited by Sky News Arabia and Axios suggest cooperation could involve U.S. support to retrain Syrian forces and may be followed by a fifth round of direct Syria–Israel talks.
- The broader environment remains tense as Gaza's ceasefire is described as fragile, with mixed signals from regional players and an Emirati advisory stressing that a viable Palestinian state is key to durable peace.
- Lebanon's split widened as President Joseph Aoun urged negotiations and Hezbollah lawmakers rejected concessions, raising fears of policy paralysis, while the UAE projected stability with Flag Day observances, the start of its annual government meetings, and the ADIPEC energy forum in Abu Dhabi.