Syrian President Sharaa Visits the White House, to Join Anti-Islamist Coalition | WPN World People News

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the United States on the 10th and met with President Trump. This marks the first time since Syria’s founding in 1946 that a Syrian president has visited a U.S. president, symbolizing a thaw in U.S.–Syria relations and a historic breakthrough.

Relations between the two countries had hit rock bottom after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2012. However, following the ousting of pro-Russian former President Assad, the newly inaugurated President Sharaa has been actively seeking international cooperation. According to foreign media reports citing U.S. officials, Syria has agreed to join the U.S.-led international coalition to combat the Islamic State (IS), signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Although President Sharaa was still listed as a terrorist by the U.S. as recently as last week, he has received strong support from President Trump, and the U.S. Treasury subsequently removed his name from the terrorist list. Trump stated that he hopes Syria will become a successful and prosperous nation and looks forward to further cooperation in the future.

President Sharaa, who has roots in a group once linked to al-Qaeda, has worked to soften his extremist image since taking office, emphasizing a desire to build friendly ties with the international community and to rebuild Syria. During his U.S. visit, Sharaa sought a complete lifting of sanctions on Syria. The U.S. extended the *Caesar Act* waiver for 180 days, but a full removal of sanctions will require congressional approval. Washington had already lifted financial sanctions on Syria in June and said it will closely monitor how the new Syrian government handles sensitive issues such as potential normalization with Israel.

The Syrian civil war has dragged on for nearly 14 years, displacing millions. Sharaa’s visit to the U.S. offers new hope for Syria’s postwar reconstruction and the normalization of its international relations.