After Al-Sharaa’s Visit to Washington: What Awaits Syria?

13th November 2025

2 minutes read

After Al-Sharaa’s Visit to Washington: What Awaits Syria?

The U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barack, disclosed details of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington and the “next step” awaiting Damascus.

In a statement, Barack described the visit as “historic,” noting that it marks “a significant shift for Syria—from isolation to partnership.”

He pointed out that Al-Sharaa has become the first Syrian president to visit the United States since the country’s independence in 1946, calling his meeting with President Donald Trump “warm and substantial.”

Barack added that both leaders “shared the belief that the time has come to replace estrangement with engagement and to give Syria and its people a genuine chance for renewal.”

The envoy explained that he, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, witnessed in the Oval Office the commitment made by President Al-Sharaa to President Trump, which included:

Joining the international coalition against ISIS, marking Syria’s transition from a source of terrorism to a partner in counterterrorism, with a pledge to assist in reconstruction, cooperation, and regional stability.
Actively contributing to dismantling remnants of ISIS, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist networks.
Becoming a committed partner in global peace efforts.
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Barack also mentioned a key trilateral follow-up meeting between Marco Rubio, Asaad Al-Shibani, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which they outlined the next stage of the U.S.-Turkish-Syrian framework, including:

Integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s new economic, defense, and civil structures.
Redefining Turkish-Syrian-Israeli relations.
Strengthening coordination to uphold the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as addressing border issues in Lebanon.
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Barack praised Turkey’s “relentless” efforts and expressed special appreciation for Ankara’s role.

He continued, “The next step in giving Syria a real chance is the complete repeal of the Caesar Act,” urging Congress to take this “historic step.”

“We have come a long way,” he concluded, “but now we need a final strong push to reignite Syria’s economic engine and allow the Syrian people and their regional neighbors not only to survive but to thrive.”