In a move that has left the U.S. and international communities stunned, U.S. President Donald Trump has welcomed Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to the White House.
The move is historic in that it is the first time any Syrian leader has set foot in the U.S. historic seat of government.
As cited by TheCable, the closed-door proceedings denied journalists and media personnel entry to cover the event.
This was contrary to previous traditions set by the White House, sparking intrigue over what might have taken place between Trump and the dispute-laden Syrian president.
The importance of his arrival in Washington is historic in terms of the implications it holds; it is also historic in terms of his background.
In fact, al-Sharaa was a key al-Qaeda element until he was placed on the list of U.S. terrorists; he has had a $10 million price tag on his head since December 2024.
Al-Sharaa is just 43 years old; he has also previously served time in Iraq’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison.
Observers believe that this meeting represents a significant change in United States foreign policy during Trump’s presidency.
The U.S. government recently lifted sanctions imposed on al-Sharaa and canceled his terrorist designation; this represents the opening of a new chapter in U.S.-Syrian relations.
This development is seen by analysts to be part and parcel of Trump’s strategy with regards to the Middle East that employs unorthodox diplomacy with the aim of pulling past adversaries to the negotiating table.
Only recently has al-Sharaa attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with many world leaders extending to him greetings that indicate his move from pariah to legitimacy.
Before moving to Washington, the U.S. had also lifted obstacles targeting the interior minister of Syria, Anas Khattab, making way for further collaboration between the two countries.
Trump, who had previously referred to the Syrian president as “a young, attractive guy with a very strong past,” has ordered the easing of various “crippling” sanctions after his initial meet with him during his trip to the Middle East in May.
The current President of Syria is President Ahmed al-Sharaa who took over in January 2025 after the Syrian President was overthrown by heavily armed rebels who made him flee to Russia.
Today, his presidency has made impossible change possible in international diplomacy.
Although there has been no official announcement about the talks from the White House yet, it is believed that the dialogue was about counter-terrorism collaboration, regional security, and possible U.S. investment in post-war Syria.
Yet, there are concerns that establishing relations with a former jihadist might tarnish America’s international reputation.
Human rights organizations are demanding that if an alliance has to be formed in the future that it should be with accountability and justice.
Nevertheless, the Trump-al-Sharaa summit seems to convey an overarching message that the administration is ready to reinterpret past stories, even those with erstwhile adversaries.
As the dust settles, only one question dominates international headlines these days has the U.S. handshake with Damascus unlocked the door to the new diplomacy era or opened a hazardous precedent?