Trump Meets Syria’s Sharaa After Sanctions Lifted

US President Donald Trump became the first American leader in 25 years to meet with a Syrian president, holding talks with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh after lifting longstanding US sanctions on Syria. Al-Sharaa, who led Islamist forces to overthrow Bashar al-Assad and is still officially designated a terrorist by the US, has received support from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The meeting, attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and joined remotely by Turkish President Erdogan, included discussions on economic opportunities, regional cooperation against Iran, and the prospect of improved relations with Israel. Trump framed the sanctions relief as a chance for Syrians to rebuild after years of war, spurring public celebrations in Syria. However, Israeli officials and minority groups in Syria expressed skepticism about Sharaa’s intentions and potential regional instability. The development marks a significant shift in US-Syrian relations and broader Middle Eastern dynamics.