Syrian Leader Sharaa Secures U.S. Support Amid Ongoing Challenges

UPDATE: Syrian leader Ahmed Sharaa has gained significant international recognition following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on November 12, 2025. This critical engagement marks a turning point in U.S.-Syrian relations, yet Sharaa faces overwhelming challenges at home.

During their closed-door meeting, Trump praised Sharaa as “a strong leader,” and expressed his commitment to assist Syria in overcoming the sanctions imposed during Bashar Assad’s presidency. The discussions focused on vital economic and security issues, signaling a new chapter in U.S.-Syria cooperation.

Sharaa, who took office after Assad’s ousting on December 8, 2024, has been working to distance himself from his predecessor’s legacy, particularly his ties to extremist groups. Under Sharaa’s leadership, Syria officially joined the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, becoming the 90th country to participate in the fight against terrorism.

Critical to Sharaa’s agenda is the urgent removal of sanctions, specifically the Caesar Act, which remains in place until Congress lifts it. However, Sharaa has secured a 180-day suspension of certain restrictions, which he hopes will facilitate economic recovery. Yet, analysts warn that internal strife and poverty continue to plague the nation, with nearly 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line.

“Sharaa’s biggest challenge today is internal, not external. He has been given the green light, and now he needs to deliver,”

said Nizar Ghanem, director of Triangle Consulting in Beirut.

As Sharaa navigates his role, the focus will also shift to potential negotiations regarding a security agreement with Israel. This initiative is complicated, as Israel remains reluctant to revert to the 1974 disengagement agreement, which could further strain the peace process. Activists like Radwan Ziadeh insist that U.S. pressure is essential for progress.

Despite these diplomatic strides, the question remains: What guarantees can the U.S. provide to encourage Syria’s participation in the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations? Ghanem emphasized the need for clarity in U.S. intentions, asking, “In exchange for what? Did Sharaa promise to join the Abraham Accords?”

As Sharaa works to redefine Syria’s position in the region, he faces a dual challenge: ending the country’s isolation and fostering a credible political process. Political analysts suggest that without a stable government capable of implementing necessary reforms, Syria’s reconstruction efforts will falter, leading to potential unrest.

Syrians are desperate for change, with a popular saying in Damascus reflecting their bleak reality: “We have the prices of Las Vegas and the services of Somalia.” This sentiment underscores the urgent need for international support to aid Syria’s recovery.

As the situation develops, all eyes are on Sharaa. His ability to secure real improvements domestically while navigating complex international relations will be crucial in determining Syria’s future. The world watches closely as this new leader contends with both external expectations and internal pressures.