ALBAWABA- Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to arrive in Washington on November 10 for high-stakes talks with U.S. officials, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster nearly a year ago.
The White House confirmed the visit, signaling cautious optimism for a potential U.S.-Syria reset after decades of hostility. The visit precedes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Washington trip on November 18.
Al-Sharaa, a former jihadist commander turned pragmatic statesman leading Syria’s transitional government, is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on November 11, followed by sessions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and congressional leaders.
Key agenda items include easing U.S. sanctions under the Caesar Act, countering an ISIS resurgence in eastern Syria, and coordinating the return of millions of refugees amid fragile reconstruction efforts.
“This is about stability, not endorsement, Syria’s future hinges on verifiable reforms,” a State Department spokesperson said, referencing al-Sharaa’s commitments to dismantle HTS militant networks and protect minority rights.
Syrian officials have expressed a positive outlook toward Washington, emphasizing the goal of facilitating the return of 14 million displaced persons while avoiding alliances against other countries.
The visit, first discussed during the UN General Assembly in September, has sparked debate in the U.S. Proponents, including think tanks like the Atlantic Council, describe it as a “pragmatic off-ramp” from isolation, citing al-Sharaa’s overtures to Israel and Gulf allies.
