Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Washington visit — the first by a Syrian head of state since 1946 — is widely seen in Damascus as a pivot toward the West that could help rebuild Syria’s shattered economy. The U.S. paused Caesar Act sanctions while Congress weighs permanent lifting, raising hopes for investment and banking access. Syrians interviewed expressed cautious optimism about reconstruction but concern about possible international pressure affecting political decisions, including relations with Israel. The trip follows Assad’s overthrow in December 2024 and more than 13 years of civil war that killed over half a million people.
Historic Washington Visit by Syrian Leader Signals Western Pivot and Hopes for Reconstruction
Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Washington visit — the first by a Syrian head of state since 1946 — is widely seen in Damascus as a pivot toward the West that could help rebuild Syria’s shattered economy. The U.S. paused Caesar Act sanctions while Congress weighs permanent lifting, raising hopes for investment and banking access. Syrians interviewed expressed cautious optimism about reconstruction but concern about possible international pressure affecting political decisions, including relations with Israel. The trip follows Assad’s overthrow in December 2024 and more than 13 years of civil war that killed over half a million people.
04:35 AM, 11/12/2025Politics
Historic Washington Visit Offers Syria a Possible Reset
In Damascus, many residents described Ahmed al-Sharaa’s trip to Washington as a turning point that could open doors to rebuilding Syria’s war-ravaged economy. On Monday, former U.S. president Donald Trump received Sharaa — the first visit by a Syrian head of state to Washington since Syria’s independence in 1946. The meeting was especially striking because Sharaa was once accused of jihadist ties and was reportedly the subject of a $10 million U.S. bounty.
"God willing, this visit will be a new beginning for Syria and an opening to the world after years of isolation," law student Boushra Abdel Bari said. "We hope that this visit... will facilitate the reconstruction of Syria with the United States and the rest of the world."
During the visit, the U.S. State Department announced a pause on sanctions applied under the Caesar Act while Congress considers whether to lift them permanently. The Caesar Act had placed broad restrictions on investment in Syria and effectively barred the country from full access to the international banking system, measures intended to press for accountability for abuses under the Assad era.
Political realignment and local reactions
Historically aligned with the Soviet Union and, later, with Russia, Syria saw Moscow as Bashar al-Assad’s principal backer during more than 13 years of civil war. Since Assad’s overthrow in December 2024, the interim Syrian leadership has made repeated overtures to Western governments and wealthy Gulf monarchies while trying to avoid severing ties with Moscow.
Local reactions in Damascus were cautiously hopeful. Omar Nassar, a 36-year-old printer, said: "Syria paid the price for aligning itself with the socialist camp in the past... and was isolated from its Arab and international environment. We are very optimistic after this visit. We expect positive repercussions in the economic and diplomatic spheres." Coffee vendor Saddam Hajjar said, "We hope to be part of the new Middle East in the future. The Syrian people deserve a better life after making so many sacrifices."
"Russia has brought us nothing but ruin and destruction," Abdel Bari added, reflecting anger among some Syrians about Moscow's role during the conflict.
The civil war, which began after a harsh government crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011 and extended for more than 13 years, killed more than half a million people, displaced or forced millions into exile, and left the national economy in ruins.
Balancing opportunity and concern
Many Syrians welcome the prospect of eased sanctions, renewed investment and restored banking ties, but some express caution. Layal Kaddour, a 25-year-old NGO worker, called the Washington visit "a bold political move" that could ease isolation and open economic prospects, but she also warned that Syria might face international pressure that could influence its independent political decisions — including potential U.S. pressure on normalization with Israel.
For now, opinions in Damascus reflect a mix of guarded optimism and concern: optimism about reconstruction and diplomatic reintegration, and concern about the conditions that might accompany those opportunities.