WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – President Donald Trump is set to host Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for talks, marking the first-ever visit by a Syrian president to the White House. This significant meeting is scheduled for November 10, as reported by an administration official who requested to remain anonymous due to the lack of formal announcement.
The two leaders previously met in May 2025 in Saudi Arabia, representing the first direct encounter between the leaders of the United States and Syria in 25 years. This meeting occurred on the sidelines of a gathering of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders and was viewed as a pivotal moment for Syria as it emerges from decades of international isolation. President al-Sharaa's visit signifies a potentially transformative phase in U.S.-Syria relations.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who had a $10 million bounty placed on him by the U.S. in the past, had ties to al-Qaida and participated in insurgent activities against U.S. forces in Iraq prior to his involvement in the Syrian conflict. He had been imprisoned by U.S. troops during that time, adding complexity to his profile as a controversial leader.
During Al-Sharaa’s upcoming visit, he is expected to sign an agreement to formally join the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. This aligns with ongoing U.S. efforts to bolster alliances in the region and combat extremist threats effectively.
In context, this meeting is taking place amid a broader attempt by President Trump to encourage Middle East allies to capitalize on the opportunity for establishing a lasting peace in the region. Following a recent ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, there is a sense of urgency to address lingering conflicts, particularly those stemming from years of turbulence in Gaza.
The ceasefire, which has held since October 10, remains delicate. Despite this, Israeli airstrikes earlier this week resulted in 104 fatalities, including many women and children, marking the most severe incident since the ceasefire was enacted. These attacks pose significant challenges to the fragile agreement, as tensions escalate with accusations of Hamas involvement in the killing of Israeli soldiers.
Notably, the planned meeting of Trump and al-Sharaa is being closely monitored by international observers, with implications that could reverberate across various geopolitical landscapes. The news of this meeting was first reported by Axios, illustrating the growing interest and stakes involved in U.S. engagement with Syria.
This historic visit signals a possible shift in diplomatic relations, raising expectations for potential cooperation in combatting terrorism and addressing human rights concerns that have long plagued Syria under the Assad regime.
Given the context of deep regional instability and complex international relationships, the upcoming meeting represents a critical juncture in Middle Eastern diplomacy, with the eyes of the world focused on the outcomes that may emerge from these discussions.
