In a landmark diplomatic development that signals a dramatic realignment of Middle Eastern politics, Syria's Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to make a historic visit to Washington, D.C., on November 10. Previously, The Levant Files wrote that "the US special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, announced at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain that Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa will travel to Washington next week to sign the agreement."
The trip, confirmed by U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas J. Barrack, will be the first official visit by a Syrian head of state to the U.S. capital since Syria gained independence in 1946 and comes as the nation formally joins the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
The confirmation of the high-stakes visit was made during the 21st IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. According to a report translated by The Syrian Observer, U.S. Envoy Barrack disclosed the plans to Al-Majalla Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Hamidi, underscoring the visit’s significance as a capstone to months of quiet diplomacy. This direct engagement marks a profound departure from decades of strained and often hostile relations, which previously saw interactions between U.S. and Syrian leaders confined to third-party locations or American presidential visits to Damascus.
Sharaa’s trip is directly linked to Syria’s recent decision to formally join the 89-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The coalition, formed to dismantle the terrorist organization that once controlled vast swathes of Syria and Iraq, continues its mission against the group's sleeper cells and clandestine networks. Barrack indicated that Syria’s participation is already underway, involving intelligence sharing and joint operations. Five coordinated strikes against ISIS remnants in recent months have reportedly demonstrated the early effectiveness of this burgeoning security partnership.
The groundwork for this diplomatic breakthrough was laid during a pivotal meeting between President Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 14. That encounter reportedly opened the door for discussions on easing sanctions and reintegrating Syria into regional and international frameworks. Sharaa further signaled his country’s new diplomatic posture in a September address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he issued a call for reconciliation and a new phase of international cooperation.
Beyond its rapprochement with Washington, Damascus has also been engaged in sensitive regional negotiations. Reports indicate that Syria has held five rounds of indirect talks with Israel, facilitated in Paris and other neutral locations. These discussions have centered on critical security arrangements, including the potential establishment of demilitarized zones and mutual non-aggression pacts. U.S. Envoy Barrack suggested that a formal agreement could be finalized before the end of the year, a move that would significantly enhance regional stability. President Sharaa’s upcoming trip to Washington is therefore poised to be a defining moment, solidifying Syria’s evolving role on the world stage.
Photo: Gemini AI