Trump Engages in Historic Meeting with Syria's President

This meeting represents the first direct exchange between the leaders of the U.S. and Syria in 25 years, highlighting shifting dynamics in the Middle East.

In an extraordinary diplomatic meeting held on Wednesday, President Trump spoke with Syria's President Ahmed al-Shara. This event marked the first time in a quarter-century that leaders from the United States and Syria have met, a pivotal moment for the region as Syria seeks to re-enter the global community.

The meeting came on the heels of Trump's announcement to lift sanctions on Syria, which are expected to alleviate the nation's economic burdens. During the discussion, which lasted approximately thirty minutes and preceded a summit with Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia, Trump emphasized the "tremendous opportunity" that al-Shara has to create historic changes within Syria, as reported by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Trump's requests to al-Shara included advice on advancing normalization efforts with Israel and addressing the presence of "foreign terrorists" within Syria. The meeting was convened on the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who, alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joining via a phone call, had encouraged the lifting of sanctions and commended Trump's decision as "courageous."

The international scene is witnessing a potential realignment with this meeting, as both Saudi Arabia and Turkey play crucial roles in the ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.