In a high-stakes diplomatic mission, U.S. President Donald Trump met with key Middle East leaders in Riyadh on Tuesday, signaling a historic pivot in American foreign policy with the announcement that the United States plans to lift sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
During an informal yet high-profile meeting in Riyadh, Trump sat down with Syria’s newly self-declared President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former jihadist once known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who led the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Sharaa, formerly the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group previously sanctioned as a terrorist organization, has since rebranded himself as a national leader pursuing international legitimacy.
Describing the meeting as “extremely positive on all levels,” a senior Saudi source told CNN that the talks, which lasted just over 30 minutes, centered on Syria’s path forward. Trump offered several proposals to Sharaa, including joining the Abraham Accords, expelling foreign fighters, and collaborating with the U.S. to prevent an ISIS resurgence.
“Lifting the sanctions gives them a chance for greatness,” Trump declared, adding that the decision, influenced by consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was “an honor.”
Historic Deals Signed
Trump’s visit was marked by a flurry of defense and economic agreements between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, amounting to a staggering $600 billion investment pledge. Among the deals is a record-breaking $142 billion defense partnership, as well as a $20 billion investment by Saudi firm DataVolt to develop AI and energy infrastructure across the U.S.
Top U.S. and Saudi officials also signed agreements ranging from judicial cooperation to joint medical research. At a lunch attended by Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed, executives from global tech firms including OpenAI, Amazon, Nvidia, Oracle, and Boeing signaled strong private sector support.
Next Stop: Qatar and Ceasefire Talks
Later today, Trump is expected to travel to Doha, Qatar, where U.S. officials are engaged in delicate ceasefire and hostage negotiations with an Israeli delegation and indirect Hamas involvement, aimed at ending the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Ahead of the trip, Trump sparked controversy by suggesting he would accept a Qatari plane to serve as Air Force One, raising legal and ethical concerns in Washington.
A Region in Transition
Trump also urged Saudi Arabia to consider joining the Abraham Accords and intensified pressure on Iran to conclude a nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Syria, long isolated by Western powers, appears poised for reintegration into international diplomacy under Sharaa’s rule.
The dramatic shift in U.S. policy, especially regarding Syria, has ignited both cautious optimism and fierce debate. Syrians were seen celebrating in the streets after Trump’s announcement, hopeful that the lifting of crippling sanctions under the 2019 Caesar Act might herald economic recovery and international acceptance.
As Trump presents himself as a renewed global dealmaker, his Middle East visit underscores the volatile but potentially transformative dynamics shaping the region’s future.
Written By Rodney Mbua
