Syrian President's Historic US Visit: A New Chapter in Damascus-Washington Relations

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In a landmark move, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in the United States on Saturday for a high-profile visit, marking the first time a Syrian president has set foot in the country since its independence in 1946. The visit comes a day after Washington removed Sharaa's name from its terrorism blacklist, a decision that was widely expected. Sharaa is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, a meeting that analysts say is a testament to the US commitment to the new Syria. The two leaders will likely discuss issues such as regional security, stability, and the rebuilding of Syria, which has been ravaged by 13 years of civil war. The US plans to establish a military base near Damascus to coordinate humanitarian aid and monitor developments between Syria and Israel, a diplomatic source revealed. The State Department's decision to remove Sharaa from the blacklist was based on his government's progress in meeting US demands, including finding missing Americans and eliminating chemical weapons. Sharaa's visit to the US is a significant milestone in his transformation from a militant leader to a global statesman. Since taking power, he has sought to break from his violent past and present a moderate image to ordinary Syrians and foreign powers. His Washington trip is expected to focus on securing funds for Syria's reconstruction, which is estimated to cost around $216 billion. The visit has been hailed as a "hugely symbolic moment" for Syria's new leader, who is seeking to rebuild his war-torn country and establish a more inclusive and stable government. International Crisis Group US program director Michael Hanna said, "The White House visit is further testament to the US commitment to the new Syria and marks another step in Sharaa's transformation from militant leader to global statesman."