WASHINGTON, USA — In a move that has stunned global observers, US President Donald Trump on Monday, November 11, 2025, hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, marking the first-ever visit by a Syrian head of state to the American seat of power.
The unannounced meeting, described by US officials as “historic,” was conducted behind closed doors, with reporters and cameras barred — a significant departure from standard diplomatic protocol.
Al-Sharaa, 43, a former al-Qaeda leader once listed on the US global terrorism watchlist, was previously the subject of a $10 million US bounty before his delisting in December 2024.
His journey from militant commander to head of state has been closely followed by analysts, who describe it as a remarkable geopolitical shift.
The Syrian leader had spent time in Iraq’s notorious Abu Ghraib prison before rising to prominence during Syria’s post-war reconstruction.
Al-Sharaa assumed power in January 2025 after a rebel-led offensive ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad, who subsequently fled to Russia.
Ahead of the visit, Washington lifted sanctions and removed terrorist designations on both al-Sharaa and Anas Khattab, Syria’s interior minister — measures that paved the way for direct engagement.
The White House did not disclose details of Monday’s discussions, but officials confirmed the talks focused on counterterrorism cooperation, regional stability, and energy reconstruction projects.
President Trump has repeatedly praised al-Sharaa since their first meeting in May during his Middle East tour, calling him “a young, attractive guy with a very strong past.”
Following that encounter, Trump ordered the easing of several long-standing sanctions on Damascus, citing “Syria’s new direction” under al-Sharaa’s transitional government.
The meeting has generated mixed reactions worldwide.
Supporters see it as a bold step toward reintegrating Syria into the international community after more than a decade of civil war.
Critics, however, argue that legitimising a former militant risks undermining global counterterrorism norms.
Middle East analysts say al-Sharaa’s recent appearance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York — his first major international outing — signalled the start of an image transformation “from jihadist to global statesman.”
