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Last Updated:May 15, 2025, 07:58 IST
Donald Trump's decision to engage with the Syrian leader signals a potential shift in US foreign policy.
Donald Trump meets Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. (Image Credit: X)
Donald Trump’s meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia has significantly altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. This encounter, occurring during Trump’s Middle East tour, marks a historic moment, especially considering al-Sharaa’s past. The meeting’s significance is amplified by al-Sharaa’s prior associations, having formerly been a designated terrorist with ties to extremist groups.
Trump’s decision to engage with the Syrian leader signals a potential shift in US foreign policy and has triggered widespread discussion about the future of regional stability. The implications of this meeting are far reaching, and will heavily influence the power dynamics within central and west Asia.
US Lifts Sanctions On Syria
Donald Trump’s meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa sparked widespread attention due to the US President’s decision to lift all sanctions against Syria, in place since 1979. These sanctions, imposed after Syria was designated a “State Sponsor of Terrorism," stemmed from the Assad regime’s support of terrorist groups like Hezbollah.
Syria’s foreign ministry hailed Donald Trump’s announcement as a “pivotal turning point" in the country’s journey. It said, “The removal of these sanctions offers a vital opportunity for Syria to pursue stability, self-sufficiency and meaningful national reconstruction, led by and for the Syrian people."
How Saudi Arabia’s Role Shifted Because Of Trump Meeting Ahmad al-Sharaa
The meeting’s significance was further amplified by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s pivotal role in arranging it, a fact Donald Trump openly acknowledged. The US recognition of Ahmad al-Sharaa’s regime, signaled by both the meeting and subsequent White House statements, represented a dramatic policy shift. Trump’s call for Ahmad al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords and expel foreign terrorists underscored this new diplomatic approach.
The Turkey Factor
Turkey’s President Erdogan joined the meeting via phone, and several Gulf nations expressed support for the new Syrian regime, seeing it as a counterweight to Iran. However, Israel voiced strong caution against legitimizing a government with Ahmad al-Sharaa’s background.
Location :Saudi Arabia
First Published:News world A Geopolitical Realignment? Why Donald Trump's Meet With Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa Is Significant
