In a dramatic and historic shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on November 10, 2025. U.S. and Syrian officials have confirmed the planned meeting, which will be the first-ever visit by a sitting Syrian president to the White House.
This summit marks the third meeting between the two leaders in less than a year, following an initial encounter in Saudi Arabia in May 2025 and a second meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in September.
The visit is the clearest signal yet of a stunning diplomatic realignment. Al-Sharaa, who took power after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, was once designated a global terrorist by the U.S. with a $10 million bounty on his head for his ties to al-Qaida. The Trump administration has since scrapped the bounty and, in May, announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions to “give them a chance at greatness.”
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, confirmed the visit and stated that al-Sharaa is expected to sign an agreement for Syria to join the U.S-led coalition against ISIS.
The meeting is already generating significant controversy and praise. Supporters, including Syrian officials, have hailed it as a “historic first” that will focus on post-war reconstruction and Syria’s reentry into the international community. Critics, however, point to al-Sharaa’s past and recent allegations of sectarian violence, calling the engagement a bold and risky gamble.
The visit also comes as the U.S. mediates de-escalation talks between Syria and Israel, with a fifth round of negotiations expected to take place after the White House meeting.
