Syrian President Commits to Defeating ISIS, Sidesteps Peace with Israel During White House Meeting

Latest Developments

• Syria Joins Coalition Against ISIS: Following the historic meeting of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa with President Donald Trump at the White House on November 10, the Syrian minister of information announced that Damascus is joining the U.S.-led coalition to combat ISIS, but without any “military components.” In addition, a U.S. official stated that Washington “will allow Syria to resume operations at its Embassy in Washington to further counterterrorism, security, and economic coordination.” Sharaa’s visit came as Syrian officials claimed to have thwarted two plots by ISIS to assassinate Sharaa in the past two months.
• Deal With Israel Premature: In an interview following the meeting, Sharaa said that a peace agreement with Israel would be premature. “We are not going to enter into a negotiation directly right now,” Sharaa told Fox News. “Maybe the United States administration, with President Trump, will help us reach this kind of negotiation.” At the same time, he spoke warmly of Syria’s reset in relations with the United States, remarking that his country “is no longer looked at as a security threat, it is now looked at as a geopolitical ally.”
• U.S. Sanctions Suspended: Trump praised Sharaa — a former al-Qaeda terrorist leader upon whom the U.S. had previously placed a $10 million bounty — as “a very strong leader. He comes from a very tough place, and he’s a tough guy. I like him. I get along with him.” Trump previously repealed most sanctions against Syria and granted a six-month waiver for Caesar Act sanctions after his May 2025 meeting with Sharaa in Saudi Arabia. On Monday, he extended the Caesar Act waiver for an additional six months.

FDD Expert Response

“Trump is right about Sharaa being tough. Weak men rarely become al-Qaeda commanders. But will Sharaa do as much for America as Trump is doing for him? The administration is backing the permanent repeal of the Caesar Act and its human rights sanctions, even though there have been two massacres of ethnic minorities on Sharaa’s watch, carried out, in part, by government troops and allied militias. Will Shaara put in place safeguards to prevent Syria from becoming a hub for terror finance? Will the Syrian army continue to have units consisting of foreign jihadis? Giving Syrians a chance at greatness and giving Sharaa what he wants are not the same thing.” — David Adesnik, Vice President of Research

“Sharaa will be pleased with the progress of his visit to Washington DC, which has yielded a great deal for minimal concessions. The US must avoid repeating the mistakes of Afghanistan, where an exaggerated idea of the threat from ISIS has been used to justify too lenient an approach to other jihadis, such as the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The real tests for Sharaa will be in his performance regarding Israel, Turkey and Syria’s own minority communities. We must hold his feet to the fire on these issues.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“The Trump-Sharaa meeting is historic, the first time a former al-Qaeda leader and Syrian president has ever visited the White House. But it’s equally significant for Sharaa’s own efforts to consolidate power at home. With President Trump’s public show of support, Sharaa is signaling to his domestic rivals that he enjoys Washington’s backing. His decision to join the anti-ISIS coalition also diminishes the leverage of the Kurdish-led SDF in negotiations over their integration. Still, it’s essential that the United States establishes clear benchmarks to ensure Syria moves towards lasting stability and avoids sliding into civil strife.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Sharaa To Be First-Ever Syrian Leader To Visit White House,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“United States reportedly eyes military foothold in Damascus, Syrian official denies the claim,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“U.S. Administration Submits Proposal To End UN Sanctions on Syria,” FDD Flash Brief

“Will Syria’s New President Live Up to the World’s Hope? The Signs Aren’t Good,” by Hussain Abdul-Hussain