In a landmark event, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa is set to hold unprecedented talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, just days after Washington removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Al-Sharaa becomes the first Syrian president to visit the White House since the country’s independence in 1946, signaling a potential new era in U.S.–Syrian relations after decades of hostility.

Al-Sharaa, who led the military coalition that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, was known only a year ago as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which evolved from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front before severing ties with the group. Washington officially delisted HTS as a terrorist organization in July.

Since assuming power, Al-Sharaa has sought to reshape Syria’s international image, projecting moderation and openness toward global engagement.
According to Michael Hanna, Director of the U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group, “This visit symbolizes a stunning transformation — from a militant commander to a global statesman.”

The two leaders first met in Saudi Arabia during Trump’s regional tour in May.
Upon his arrival in Washington, Al-Sharaa also met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss potential post-war financial support for Syria, as well as with representatives of Syrian organizations abroad.