Washington – Marking a historic turning point in a relationship frozen for over a decade, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is in Washington this week for the first visit by a senior Syrian official in 25 years. The trip signals a significant thaw in relations between the United States and Syria, which have been suspended since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2012.
Al-Shibani's agenda includes high-stakes meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Lindsey Graham. Discussions are expected to focus on easing the remaining U.S. sanctions against Damascus and exploring pathways for Syria's diplomatic and economic reintegration with the West. The foreign minister is also scheduled to meet with delegations from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and Israel, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the diplomatic push.
This landmark visit follows a series of calculated steps over the past several months aimed at normalizing ties. In June 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting most U.S. economic sanctions on Syria, a move intended to assist the nation's recovery and encourage foreign investment. However, targeted sanctions on former president Bashar al-Assad and his close associates remain in effect.
A month prior, in May 2025, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, made a symbolic visit to the long-shuttered U.S. ambassador's residence in Damascus. The raising of the American flag there for the first time since 2012 was a powerful gesture of warming relations, even though the embassy has not formally reopened.
Beyond diplomatic overtures, the U.S. has been adjusting its military posture in the region. The American military has been gradually reducing its footprint, withdrawing from several bases and consolidating its forces at select locations. This strategic drawdown reflects a shift towards supporting Syria's territorial integrity while maintaining a focus on counterterrorism, particularly against any resurgence of the Islamic State.
Regional security dynamics are a core component of the renewed engagement. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently expressed optimism regarding ongoing security negotiations with Israel. The talks aim to halt Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory and secure a withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Syria.
Simultaneously, the U.S. is actively promoting the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with Syria's central government. While the initiative seeks to create a unified front against ISIS and address Turkey's security concerns, it has met resistance from some within the SDF who fear a loss of autonomy.
Despite the rapid progress, significant hurdles remain. Syria is still designated by the U.S. State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism, a listing that severely restricts diplomatic and economic activity. Removing Damascus from this list would require substantial policy changes and verifiable actions, including addressing long-standing concerns about chemical weapons and the influence of foreign powers like Iran and Russia on Syrian soil. After more than a decade of conflict and isolation, the diplomatic path forward remains complex, but the ongoing dialogue in Washington represents the most significant step toward normalization in a generation.