In a landmark diplomatic event, former US President Donald Trump has hosted Syrian leader Ahmed al Sharaa at the White House, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state since the country's independence in 1946.
A Meeting of 'Tough Guys'
The meeting between the two figures, held on Tuesday, 11th November 2025, was characterised by mutual praise. Mr Trump described the 43-year-old Syrian president as a 'very strong leader' and a 'tough guy'.
He acknowledged Mr al Sharaa's controversial background, stating, 'He comes from a very tough place... He's had a rough past, but we've all had a rough past.' This is a significant endorsement for a man who once had a $10 million US bounty on his head for his former role as an al Qaeda commander.
From Rebel to Recognised Leader
Ahmed al Sharaa led the rebel forces that successfully overthrew long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad in December of the previous year. He was subsequently named Syria's interim leader in January.
His arrival at the White House was met by a crowd of cheering supporters waving Syrian flags. However, the meeting also drew sharp criticism from within Mr Trump's own political sphere, notably from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who questioned the engagement with what she called the 'ISIS President of Syria'.
Strategic Shift and Sanctions
President Trump positioned the engagement as a strategic move, considering Syria a nation of key importance in the Middle East. While he provided no specific policy details, he committed that the US would 'do everything we can to make Syria successful'.
This new relationship follows a recent US vote to lift a series of sanctions on the Syrian president and his government. Mr al Sharaa is now seeking a permanent repeal of sanctions originally imposed for human rights abuses under the Assad regime, though this would require further action from the US Congress.
The meeting signals a profound shift in US-Syrian relations, building on their first encounter in Saudi Arabia back in May, where Mr Trump had similarly praised the Syrian leader's strength and background.
