From U.S. Detention to the White House: Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Historic Washington Visit

Historic visit aims to reset Syria’s international standing

Ahmad al-Sharaa — who was held in a U.S.-run detention facility in Iraq two decades ago after joining fighters linked to al-Qaida — arrived in Washington this weekend for a highly anticipated meeting at the White House. If completed as reported, he would be the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the country’s independence in 1946.

What’s on the agenda

Al-Sharaa is expected to press U.S. leaders to formally admit Syria into the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and to seek a permanent repeal of the Caesar Act, the sweeping sanctions enacted over human rights abuses under the previous regime. While the Caesar sanctions are currently waived by presidential order, a full repeal would require congressional approval.

“We must lift economic barriers to allow Syria’s recovery and attract foreign investment,” Syria’s Ministry of Information said, adding that al-Sharaa will reaffirm Damascus’ commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting regional security.

Diplomacy, skepticism and conditions

President Donald Trump met al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May and has signaled support for lifting some sanctions, saying the move was intended “to give them a fighting shot.” The United Nations Security Council recently voted to lift sanctions on al-Sharaa and his interior minister, and the U.S. removed them from its "specially designated global terrorist" list.

Still, several lawmakers and rights groups want safeguards. Some congressional Republicans, including Rep. Brian Mast and Sen. Lindsey Graham, have sought conditions on any full Caesar repeal — such as protections and political representation for religious and ethnic minorities, the removal of foreign fighters from security institutions, and assurances of peaceful regional relations, including with Israel. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen leads the push on the Democratic side for a full repeal, arguing that continued sanctions aimed specifically at the previous regime could deter reconstruction investment.

Accountability and security concerns

Critics point to outbreaks of sectarian violence over the past year, during which pro-government Sunni gunmen reportedly killed civilians from Alawite and Druze communities. Advocacy groups and religious leaders have urged U.S. officials to press al-Sharaa on accountability and to seek humanitarian access for vulnerable enclaves such as Sweida.

Coalition membership and military cooperation

U.S. officials say Syria may formally join the anti-IS coalition during the visit, a step that would likely deepen military cooperation between Washington and Damascus and could facilitate closer coordination with local forces that fought IS. U.S. Central Command reported that IS attacks have fallen this year in both Syria and Iraq compared with earlier figures, but sleeper cells continue to stage attacks.

Challenges ahead

Before assuming national leadership, al-Sharaa — known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani when he led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in parts of northwestern Syria — severed ties with al-Qaida years earlier and has focused on consolidating control while fighting IS cells in areas he dominated. The U.S. has encouraged integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces with Damascus’ new security apparatus, but implementation remains stalled and tensions between those forces have occasionally flared.

Note: This report summarizes developments and positions from multiple official and non-governmental sources. Negotiations in Washington and on Capitol Hill remain fluid and may affect final outcomes.