The reported meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh—if confirmed—would indeed mark a dramatic shift in U.S.-Syria relations and Middle Eastern geopolitics. However, several key aspects of this scenario raise questions about its plausibility and require careful analysis:
As of my last knowledge update (June 2024), there has been no official confirmation of such a meeting from credible sources like the White House, U.S. State Department, or major international news outlets (e.g., Reuters, AP, or BBC). The sources cited (Voice of America, Financial Times, Wikipedia) do not currently report this event.
Ahmed al-Sharaa’s alleged presidency: Bashar al-Assad remains Syria’s president as of mid-2024, with no verified reports of his ousting in December 2024.
Trump’s role: Since leaving office in 2021, Trump has engaged in private diplomacy but has no official authority to lift U.S. sanctions or negotiate international agreements.
Abraham Accords Expansion: Syria joining the Accords would be a major breakthrough, but Damascus has historically been aligned with Iran and hostile to Israel. Normalization would require significant concessions, possibly including distancing from Iran and Hezbollah.
Sanctions Relief: Unilateral U.S. sanctions lifting would face opposition from Congress and allies, given Syria’s human rights record and ties to Russia/Iran.
Saudi Arabia/Turkey: Their involvement suggests a broader realignment, possibly to counter Iranian influence.
Russia/Iran: Would oppose any U.S.-Syria rapprochement undermining their leverage.
The claim that al-Sharaa has past ties to al-Qaeda (if referring to a real figure) would complicate U.S. engagement. Even if he has publicly renounced such links, his group’s U.S. terrorist designation would require legal revisions before sanctions could be lifted.
Trump’s Influence: While he retains political sway, any negotiation would likely require coordination with the current U.S. administration.
Saudi/Turkish Mediation: Both nations have vested interests in Syria’s future but have historically backed opposing sides in its civil war. Their joint facilitation would signal an unusual alignment.
Without verification from primary sources, this scenario appears speculative or possibly fabricated. However, if true, it would represent:
A major U.S. foreign policy reversal on Syria.
A potential breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations.
A challenge to Russian and Iranian dominance in Syria.
For now, observers should treat this report with caution until confirmed by reliable outlets. If further details emerge, the strategic calculus of the Middle East could shift significantly
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Ratul Shrikh
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