In a surprise meeting in Riyadh, President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member, urging him to normalize relations with Israel. The encounter, facilitated by Saudi Arabia, came just after Trump announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a significant step toward reintegrating Syria into the international community and reducing Iranian influence in the region.

Osamah Khalil, professor of history and chair of the International Relations Undergraduate Program, says the meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa “represents a remarkable shift in U.S. policy toward al-Qaeda and its affiliates. More than 23 years after the 9/11 attacks and the declaration of the Global War on Terror, the United States is developing relations with a former leader of the organization who now declares himself a moderate,” he says.

“However, for Syrian minority groups, this has not been reflected as they have been targeted for persecution by Al-Sharaa militias. Syria remains fragmented and Israel has expanded the areas under its occupation. It remains to be seen whether improved relations with Washington and the lifting of sanctions will lead to an Israeli withdrawal or further fragmentation and a new civil war, as Al-Sharaa tries to consolidate its power in the coming months,” says Khalil.

Rear more in the Clarín article, “Donald Trump's meeting with the president of Syria, a U.S. shift in its policy on the Middle East.”