EditTrump meets Syrian president in Saudi Arabia, lifts sanctions, urges normalisation with Israel
The US President decision to embrace the former al-Qaeda affiliate has sparked debate
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (14 May), a surprising encounter marking the first meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years.
The meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and joined remotely by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, followed Trump’s surprise announcement on Tuesday to lift all U.S. sanctions on Syria’s Islamist-led government. Trump urged al-Sharaa to normalize ties with Israel, a move that could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics, before departing for Qatar as part of his four-day Gulf tour.
A dramatic policy shift
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a summit between the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump’s decision to lift sanctions, imposed on Syria since 1979 and intensified in 2004 and 2011, represents a significant departure from decades of U.S. policy. The sanctions targeted the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, toppled in December 2024 by a rebel offensive led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group Washington previously designated as a terrorist organisation.
Al-Sharaa, once a pledged al-Qaeda affiliate who severed ties with the group in 2016, has positioned himself as a reformed leader seeking to stabilize Syria after 14 years of civil war. Trump’s engagement with al-Sharaa, described by the president as a “young, attractive guy” and a “real leader” with a “strong past,” reflects a pragmatic approach prioritising economic and diplomatic reintegration over ideological purity. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Qatar, Trump expressed optimism about al-Sharaa’s potential to “pull it together” in a “torn-up country,” citing endorsements from Erdoğan.
A risky bet with high stakes
Trump’s decision to embrace al-Sharaa has sparked debate. Proponents argue it offers Syria a chance to rebuild and reintegrate into the Arab fold, as advocated by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which played key roles in persuading Trump to lift sanctions. The move aligns with Trump’s broader vision of a Middle East driven by “commerce, not chaos,” as he articulated in Riyadh. However, critics, particularly in Israel, remain wary of al-Sharaa’s jihadist past and HTS’s Islamist roots. Israeli officials have labeled al-Sharaa a “jihadist,” and the Israeli prime minister’s office did not immediately comment on the meeting, signaling potential friction.
The European Union has taken a cautious, conditional approach to engaging with Syria’s new leadership. On24 February the EU suspended select sanctions on Syria’s energy, transport, and banking sectors, including lifting asset freezes on five banks and easing restrictions on the Central Bank of Syria, to support economic recovery and an inclusive political transition. These measures are temporary, with a “snapback” mechanism to reinstate sanctions if the new government fails to implement democratic reforms, respect human rights, or include minorities. Sanctions on arms, chemical weapons, and individuals tied to the Assad regime remain in place, as does the terrorist designation of HTS and al-Sharaa. The EU aims to balance humanitarian relief and reconstruction with leverage to ensure the new leadership adheres to democratic norms, but the process is gradual and contingent on Syria’s political progress.
The push for Syria to join the Abraham Accords, normalisation agreements brokered during Trump’s first term between Israel and several Gulf states, is ambitious but fraught with challenges. Syria’s inclusion could transform regional dynamics, but Israel’s deep suspicion and Syria’s internal instability pose significant hurdles. Moreover, Trump’s transactional approach—emphasising business deals and investments—raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this diplomatic gamble, especially if al-Sharaa’s government fails to deliver stability or faces renewed extremist threats.
Economic and diplomatic context
The Riyadh meeting coincided with significant economic announcements. Saudi Arabia committed $600 billion for U.S. investments and secured $142 billion in U.S. arms sales, underscoring the trip’s focus on economic ties. Trump’s visit to Qatar, where he was greeted by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is expected to yield similar high-value deals. Qatar, a key mediator in regional conflicts and host of Al Jazeera, has offered a luxury jet for U.S. government use, a proposal Trump defends despite security concerns raised by U.S. officials. The jet controversy, coupled with Trump Organization projects in Qatar and the UAE, highlights the blurring lines between Trump’s business interests and U.S. foreign policy.
In Syria, the lifting of sanctions was met with jubilation. Crowds in Damascus celebrated with fireworks and waved Syrian and Saudi flags, chanting praise for Saudi Arabia’s role. The state-run SANA news agency reported widespread public support, reflecting hope for economic relief after years of devastation. Al-Sharaa, in turn, invited American companies to invest in Syrian oil and gas, positioning Syria as a trade link between East and West.
Regional implications
Trump’s Middle East tour underscores his preference for Gulf monarchies over traditional U.S. allies like Europe or Israel, a departure from past administrations. His first term saw Saudi Arabia as his initial foreign destination, followed by Israel and Europe, but this trip prioritises economic deals with oil-rich states. The exclusion of Israel from the itinerary, despite Trump’s claim that his relationships benefit Israel, has raised eyebrows, particularly amid ongoing tensions over Gaza and Iran. Saudi Arabia’s insistence on Palestinian statehood as a condition for joining the Abraham Accords further complicates Trump’s normalisation agenda.
Sources: Reuters, The Washington Post, CNBC, Al Jazeera, NPR, Sky News
Caption: Syrians celebrate on the street after the US announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, in Idlib, Syria, 13 May 2025. During his visit to Riyadh, US President Donald J. Trump said he will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria. [EPA-EFE/AHMAD FALLAHA]
Updated: May 14, 2025 - 15:13
