– For todayNow you can listen to FOX news headlines!
President Donald Trump is preparing to host Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Monday in what officials say is a historic step in testing whether Damascus can be pulled from the war-torn country and divided.
The high-profile meeting underscores a new chapter in US-Syria relations after a decade of hostilities. A senior academic official told FOX News Digital The visit will focus on counterterrorism cooperation, economic development, and improving regional peace and security.
During the visit, the official said, “Syria will announce that it has joined the global coalition to defeat ISIS. Therefore, Syria will be a member of the United States, fighting with the United States.”
The visit follows a week of major policy shifts. On Thursday, the UN Security Council voted 14-0, with China letting go, to remove the threat to the Ministry of Al-Sharaa and Syria. In addition, Reuters reported that Al-Sharaa and his Minister of the Interior, Anas Khattab, had been targeted in a financial meeting aimed at Al Qaeda and the United States who receive special international terrorists.
Interim Syrian President Al-Sharaa expected to meet with Trump at the start of the Syrian leader’s visit to the White House
In this photo released by the Saudi Royal Palace, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa shakes hands with President Donald Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 14. On the right is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. (AP)
The meeting comes almost six weeks after Al-Sharaa – the former commander of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, who once met with Al Qaeda – addressed the Hopt General Message in September. There, he urged the west to lift sanctions and ask for foreign support to rebuild the country.
According to the official of the administration, it will happen: “The Treasury, the Government, and Commerce will jointly announce the lifting of economic restrictions and give Syria to continue working for investors. Security and economic communication.”
The Syrian authorities want the reconfirmation of CASAR Act BulltionsUS federal law still prohibits commercial ties with Damascus.
A senior administration official told FOX News Digital, “The administration issued a 180-day moratorium on the Caesar Act and encouraged the President’s agreement to renew the Caesar Act.”
Syrian security forces walk together on the side of the road, after the conflict between the Syrian government forces and the Southern Duze Fighters resumed in Sweida at the beginning of Sweida at the beginning which aims to end many hours in Sweida, Sweida, Syria on July 16, 2025. (Karam al-Masri / Reuters)
An Evangelical leader says he must protect Syrian Christians from Jihadi terrorist attacks
Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz.
“This is the first chance Syria has to emerge from decades of brutal repression and ten years of civil war,” the Congressman said. “I went to Damascus to make sure that the missing Americans like Kayla Mueller are not forgotten, to remind the new leaders of Syria that they must include their rights as the Druze, Christians and Kurds and protect their rights.”
On Friday, nearly 100 Christian leaders sent a letter to President Trump calling on him to raise the issue of minority rights and protection for the Syrian leader. The book was led by Dede Laugesen, president of Save the Persecuted Christians, and included Ralph Reed, Tony Perkines, Rod McCoy and Alveda King.
Syrian civilians and security forces inspect the damage inside the Mar Elias Church when a suicide bomb exploded in Dweil’a on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, in 2025. (Omar Sanadiki / AP Photo)
In it, they thanked Trump for his efforts in protecting Christians and asked him to bring the problem to Al-Sharaa. “We encourage you to speak directly to this vilification of Christians, Kurds, Druze, and Sywayda’s continued assault on the area.
“Mr.
Syria’s new president is taking center stage at the UNGA as a vexing terrorist concern
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on September 24, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Ahmad Sharawi of the foundation for the protection of Democcies Democies told fox digital news that Washington hopes to use the meeting to pursue stability and contain the influence of Iran.
“It is in the interest of the US to have a government that is willing to fight sis and stop Iran from reviving,” he said. “I think the US will try to find a solution to the Kurdish problem in northeastern Syria and build a unified country without dissolution or federalism.”
He warned that Al-Sharaa’s domestic record shows a “disorganized political system” and a system of power. Despite those concerns, he added, many Syrians see him as “the only person who can hold the country together.”
People welcome the leader of Syria’s Islamist Shat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) to the lightning of Damascus in Datasquas in December of the Government in December. By the rebels at their telegraph station he showed. (Aref tammawi / AFP via Getty Images)
In October, Al-Sharaa went to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin – said Sharmawi Vladimir highlighted the suspension and danger.
“One would think that 11 months ago, when the Russians hit Idlib and Al-Sharaa, we would not see a meeting between Al-Sharaa and Putin in Moscow,” said Sharawi. “But it’s a clear indication of how al-sharaa works – focused on securing its interests but also being pragmatic.”
He also added that the culture reaches the west saying “If you don’t give me what I want, I have other countries I can depend on,” and said it is an attempt to secure weapons and end war after years of war.
The President of Syria’s historic UN speech was joined by thousands rallying outside to support peace with Trump
Ahmed Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Nom De Ruerre Abu Moammed al-JOlani, is seen in Syria Feb. 7, 2023. Since becoming the President of the country, he has returned to his given name. (Omar Haj Kadour / AFP via Getty Images)
“That’s why I asked Gentcom Kurilla during the House Armed Services Task Force about these opportunities and risks – and he wrote the Ndaa section in the assessment of defense cooperation with the new Syrian government,” said Hamadeh. “We have to make sure Isis and Iran never come back and make sure the Russians and Chinese are kept at bay.”
Syrian-American Syrian activist HiCham Alnchawati of the Syrian Freedom Path organization, told FOX News Digital that Syrians were very receptive to the visit.
“They want a better future,” he said. “They were at war – no water, no food, no economy, and no security. He knows that his enthusiasm has benefits for both Syria and Syria.”
Alnchawati argued that lasting deterrence would require eliminating the influence of Iran and Hezbollah.
“If you want to be strong in the Middle East, you have to end the work with Hezbollah and the Iranians,” he said. “They should be completely dismantled. Otherwise, they will bless the opposition and the argument for more time.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, on the outskirts of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Horden, Monday, 2025. (Photo by bing Guan/Pool via AP)
Click here to download the FOX News app
The United Nations and the decisions of the US Servitions have enhanced the debate in Washington and Europe. Reuters and the Associated Press reported that some lawmakers and rights groups objected to the former jihadist leader’s ability to report past abuses, while supporters said the relief offered Damascus encouraged cooperation and drug control.
Sharawi told FOX News Digital that this policy with Al-Sharaa “gives Damascus a strong incentive but from Washington they are exposed.”
