US and Syria re‑engage

President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa at the White House as the administration announced that Syria will join the international coalition against Islamic State, becoming the coalition's 90th member. Officials said the Treasury, State and Commerce departments will introduce measures to lift economic restrictions, provide compliance clarity for investors and implement an 180‑day suspension of the Caesar Act; Washington will also allow Syria to re‑open its embassy in the US.

Al‑Sharaa, who was recently removed from the US specially designated global terrorist list after previously leading militant Islamist groups, has positioned himself as Syria's interim leader seeking foreign support for reconstruction. While Trump praised al‑Sharaa and expressed support for Syrian stability, the rapprochement has drawn attention to allegations of past human rights abuses and ongoing domestic violence that US officials say will be monitored as ties are normalised, as reported by BBC

This story has also been reported by: New York Times