Trump Meets Syrian Leader in Saudi Arabia
Negotiations, Nationalism, and a Slightly Unusual Guest List
Washington and Damascus are brushing off a 46‑year‑old envelope of sanctions, after President Donald Trump sat down for a chat with Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa—the former al‑Qaeda chief turned high‑ranking political figure—in Saudi Arabia. May 2025 will live on newsfeeds for years to come.
What Went Down in the Desert
- Trump announced that “Washington will resume normal ties with Damascus”, following the decision to wipe the slate clean on sanctions that had pummelled Syria for nearly half a century.
- Both leaders took turns crossing a diplomatic bridge before a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) event was set to kick off. Trump’s Middle‑East tour rolled out the red carpet for a peace‑seeking audience.
- When Trump suggested that “Sharaa should deport Palestinian terrorists” and sign the Abraham Accords, his rationale was simple: “Let them roll into a partnership with Israel, and do it sideways to keep the chaos at bay.”
- In a blatant move to boost a sluggish economy, Trump declared that sanctions would be “retired”—a headline almost as memorable as the headline he usually puts on his campaign signs.
Why It Matters (and Why It’s a Bit of a Circus)
Think about it: a U.S. president, a former terror chief, and a Saudi backdrop. The mood—surprise, intrigue, and a splash of political comedy—made headlines in the same breath as the bigger geopolitical story. Trump’s aim appears clear: give Syria a second chance for “greatness,” saying the old sanctions had been “very powerful” and at times “crippling.” The intention is to rest on solid ground and potentially livestream a fresh partnership between Syria and Israel.
How the World is Watching
While the world gears up to see whether these unlikely allies will stick together—like a group of strangers sharing a pizza at a football match—truly interesting storylines are brewing. Trump’s move is a gamble: will it entice Syria to drop old hostilities, or will it simply split them into two separate political splotches? Time will tell.
