What does the US want from Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar: Leader of Syria, formerly associated with HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), now visiting the White House.
• US President Donald Trump: US President hosting al-Shar, seeking strategic alliances and deals in the Middle East.
• HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham): Designated terror group that ousted the Assad regime.
• Assad Regime: Former ruling family of Syria, overthrown by al-Shar's forces.
• Islamic State (ISIS): Terrorist group still active in Syria.
• UN Security Council: International body that voted to drop sanctions on al-Shar.
• US Sanctions on Syria: Economic restrictions imposed by the US, some of which are being lifted.
• US Air Base in Syria: Potential proposal for a US military presence.
• Broader Security Deal between Syria and Israel: A potential outcome of the US-Syria talks.
• Iran's Influence: A factor al-Shar aims to reduce by aligning with the US.
• Economic Isolation: Syria's current state of being cut off from international investment.
• Geopolitical Isolation: Syria's previous isolation on the world stage.
• Mercurial: Describing President Trump's tendency to shift his stance.
• Abu Muhammad al-Jolani: Military pseudonym of Ahmed al-Shar.
• Hayat Sham: The Islamist group al-Shar dissolved upon becoming president.

Historic White House Meeting: Syria's President Al-Shar Meets US President Trump

This report details a landmark event: Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar's visit to the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump. This meeting signifies a dramatic shift in US-Syria relations, occurring less than a year after al-Shar's rebel forces, previously associated with the designated terror group HTS, overthrew the Assad regime. The visit follows Washington's removal of al-Shar and his interior minister from its terrorism blacklist and the UN Security Council's vote to drop sanctions on him, a move spearheaded by the United States.

Key Points of the Meeting and US-Syria Relations

• Unprecedented Diplomatic Engagement: This is the first time a Syrian head of state has visited the White House. President Trump has cultivated an "unlikely alliance" with President al-Shar, whom he described as a "tough guy" doing a "very good job" in a "tough neighborhood."
• Lifting of Sanctions: The UN Security Council voted to drop sanctions on al-Shar, and President Trump had previously removed most US sanctions on Syria via executive order in June. However, some congressionally mandated sanctions require congressional approval for rescission. The removal of these final hurdles is a key agenda item.
• Potential US Military Presence: A proposal for a United States air base in Syria near Damascus is reportedly being considered by the White House as part of a broader security deal. This would involve a small, non-combat military presence.
• Syria's Reintegration and US Strategic Interests: For Syria, the visit is crucial for ending economic and political isolation, rebuilding the war-torn country, and attracting US investment. For Washington, the goal is to gain a cooperative partner in Syria that aligns with US regional interests, potentially verifying Syria's commitments.
• Shift from Iran's Influence: For President al-Shar, aligning with the US offers a significant break from Iran's influence.
• Optics and Control: The meeting's initial stages were conducted with controlled optics, with no public arrival or traditional handshake for photographers, suggesting a deliberate effort by both sides to manage the narrative. The possibility of an impromptu press conference by President Trump, however, remained.

Al-Shar's Transformation and Syria's Internal Dynamics

• From Jihadist Commander to Head of State: President al-Shar's journey from a former jihadist commander with a US bounty on his head to a welcomed head of state in Washington is described as an "extraordinary journey" and an "impressive turnaround."
• Navigating Internal Factions: Al-Shar is reportedly walking a fine line between more conservative elements within his entourage, stemming from his HTS background, and more moderate figures who advocate for a modern Syria seeking international reintegration and alignment with Western powers, a departure from Syria's previous alignment with Russia and Iran under Bashar Assad.
• Security Challenges: Despite his victory, al-Shar faces a fragile security situation with remnants of Assad loyalists and the persistent presence of Islamic State fighters. Recent reports indicate Syria foiled two ISIS plots to assassinate President al-Shar.

What Each Side Stands to Gain

• For Syria (Al-Shar):
  • Easing of sanctions to facilitate economic recovery and rebuilding.
  • Attracting millions of dollars in investment.
  • Rejoining the international community as a regional player and partner.
  • Reducing reliance on Iran.
• For the United States (Trump):
  • Gaining a cooperative partner in Syria aligned with US regional interests.
  • Potential leverage over Syria's commitments.
  • A potential security arrangement between Syria and Israel.
  • Syria joining the US-led coalition against ISIS.
  • Opportunities for investment in Syria's oil and gas reserves.

The "Mercurial" Nature of Trump's Diplomacy

The report highlights President Trump's "mercurial" nature, noting his history of shifting from praise to pressure when he perceives a lack of progress. This characteristic poses a potential risk to the fragile opening in US-Syria relations, with the possibility of the current tone disappearing overnight if Trump feels Syria is not meeting expectations.

Syrian Public's Hopes

For everyday Syrians, the visit is seen as a potential catalyst for economic restoration and rebuilding after nearly 14 years of civil war. They hope it will accelerate the lifting of sanctions and pave the way for much-needed investment.

Conclusion

The meeting between President Trump and President al-Shar represents a significant geopolitical development, offering potential benefits for both nations in terms of security, economic recovery, and regional stability. However, the success of this new alliance hinges on navigating complex internal Syrian dynamics and the unpredictable nature of US foreign policy under President Trump.