TLE DESK: In a stunning diplomatic turn, Syria has officially joined the international coalition against the Islamic State group following landmark talks between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.
The meeting — the first between leaders of the two nations since Syria’s independence in 1946 — marked a remarkable transformation in relations between Washington and Damascus. Sharaa, 43, whose rebel alliance overthrew longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad last year, was until recently on America’s terrorism blacklist. His faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had once been aligned with Al-Qaeda.
A senior US administration official confirmed that “Syria announced it is joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS,” becoming the 90th member of the alliance. The move will see the two countries cooperate in eliminating the remaining Islamic State cells and preventing the movement of foreign fighters across the region.
The official added that Washington will now allow Syria to restore diplomatic relations with the United States “to further counterterrorism, security and economic coordination.”
A Former Foe Turned Partner
President Trump, who met Sharaa privately in the Oval Office, praised the Syrian leader as “a very strong leader” and said he wanted Syria to become “very successful” after years of civil conflict.
“He comes from a very tough place, and he’s a tough guy,” Trump told reporters afterwards. “People said he’s had a rough past — we’ve all had rough pasts. And I think, frankly, if you didn’t have a rough past, you wouldn’t have a chance.”
The US president later wrote on his Truth Social platform that a “stable and successful Syria” was vital to peace in the wider Middle East, describing Damascus as a “big part” of his administration’s emerging regional peace plan.
Trump, however, stopped short of confirming reports that Syria might soon sign a non-aggression pact with Israel, a long-time adversary.
“Difficult” Peace Talks Ahead
Speaking to Fox News after the White House meeting, President Sharaa acknowledged that the decades-old dispute over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights made entering peace talks with Israel “difficult” for now. However, he hinted that US-brokered negotiations could eventually open the door to dialogue.
The Syrian leader’s visit — just days after Washington struck his name from its terrorism list — was seen by many as a diplomatic rehabilitation few could have imagined a year ago.
In a show of confidence, Sharaa stepped out of his motorcade outside the White House to greet a cheering crowd of supporters, flanked by heavy security.
Symbolic Turning Point
Photos released by Syria’s presidency on X (formerly Twitter) showed Sharaa smiling beside Trump at the Resolute Desk, with US officials including Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine also in attendance.
In a statement, Damascus said the two leaders discussed “the ways to strengthen and develop the bilateral relationship, as well as a number of regional and international issues of common interest.”
Analysts described the encounter as a powerful symbol of Syria’s reinvention under its new leadership.
“This is a hugely symbolic moment for the country’s new president, marking another step in his astonishing transformation from militant commander to international statesman,” said Michael Hanna, the US programme director at the International Crisis Group.
Rebuilding a Shattered Nation
Sharaa, who first met Trump during the latter’s Middle East tour in May, was also expected to seek financial assistance for Syria’s reconstruction. Over the weekend, he met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss possible avenues for aid.
The war-scarred nation faces immense challenges after 13 years of civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
Though his past as a jihadist remains controversial, Washington’s decision to normalise relations with Sharaa’s government reflects a broader realignment in US Middle East policy.
In recent months, the Syrian president has also reached out to other global powers. In October, he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin — their first meeting since Assad’s downfall, despite Moscow’s historic support for the former regime.
As Syria seeks to rebuild its place on the world stage, Sharaa’s White House visit may well be remembered as the moment Damascus began its long journey from pariah state to partner in global security.
