Ahmed Al-Sharaa's visit to Washington marks a new era in the Middle East
- Next steps in Syria-US relations
- Lifting of sanctions and new alliances
- Negotiations on security and military base in Damascus
- Possibilities for regional realignment
Next steps in Syria-US relations
Ahmed al-Sharaa's first official visit to Washington is approaching, while the relationship between Syria and the United States appears to be entering a new phase. This transformation is part of a regional process recently promoted by the Trump administration, which is seeking a strategic reconfiguration.
On the eve of the meeting between Al-Sharaa and President Trump, the UN Security Council has decided to suspend existing sanctions against the Syrian leader and his interior minister, Anas Khattab. This action comes after weeks of pressure from Washington to ease these restrictions.
Lifting of sanctions and new alliances
Since May, the White House has shown a shift in its approach to Syria, with Trump announcing the lifting of sanctions. ‘I think he's doing an excellent job,’ the US president said of Sharaa, noting the complexity of the region and acknowledging the progress made.
Trump explained to the media in Washington: ‘We lifted the sanctions on Syria to give them a chance to fight.’ On the other hand, after 13 years of civil conflict, the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has had a significant impact on regional dynamics.
Formerly known as the al-Nusra Front, HTS was once the affiliated arm of al-Qaeda in Syria until it distanced itself in 2016. Since 2014, it has been targeted by UN sanctions alongside ISIS, with specific restrictions including travel bans, asset freezes and embargoes. In contrast, the measures against Sharaa and Khattab have been lifted.
Negotiations on security and military base in Damascus
During his stay in Washington, Al-Sharaa will address the removal of remaining sanctions, reconstruction plans and strategies to combat terrorism, according to official announcements from Damascus. In addition, rapprochement with Israel is emerging as a key pillar of post-Assad Syrian policy, with direct negotiations underway following the fall of the regime in December.
Tom Barrack, US special envoy for Syria, stressed: ‘The Sharaa regime is taking power and in ten months is making strides towards something we have never seen before, perhaps even towards the normalisation of relations with Israel.’ For his part, he said they are in the fifth round of negotiations with Israel on borders and de-escalation, anticipating a significant change in the political map of the Middle East.
Syria is expected to conclude security and military agreements with Israel during 2025. In this scenario, Reuters reported that the United States plans to deploy a military presence at an air base in Damascus, with the aim of facilitating the pact between Israelis and Syrians. This step would symbolise a major strategic shift following the overthrow of Assad, an ally of Iran.
Possibilities for regional realignment
The military base in question is located in a strategic area in southern Syria, intended to become a demilitarised zone under a non-aggression agreement between Israel and Syria. Syrian government sources reported that technical talks focused on the use of the base for logistics, surveillance, resupply and humanitarian support, ensuring that Syria will retain full sovereignty over the facilities.
The exact date for the deployment of US personnel has not yet been set. However, the process has been accelerated by reconnaissance missions that confirmed the immediate operational capability of the airstrip.
This US move adds to other military presences in the region, such as in Lebanon, where they monitor the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and in Israel, where they monitor the truce between Hamas and Israel agreed during the Trump administration. In northeastern Syria, the United States has maintained troops for a decade in support of Kurdish forces against ISIS, although it recently announced a reduction in troop numbers.
The intensification of dialogue and the presence in Syria are part of a larger scheme that, according to Barrack, could set a model for Lebanon. ‘It's simple. Lebanon can do whatever it wants,’ he said. ‘The path is very clear: it must be towards Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for dialogue, together with Syria. Syria is leading the way. Syria will get there first.’