For the first time in nearly six decades, a Syrian president has stepped onto the world stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking a dramatic shift in both Syria’s internal politics and its relationship with the West. President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the opposition offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and ended almost 14 years of brutal civil war, arrived in the United States on September 21, 2025, to participate in the 80th session of the UN gathering—a venue no Syrian head of state has attended since 1967.
Al-Sharaa’s visit, accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, signals not just a break from Syria’s long-standing isolation but also a bid to reforge ties with both Arab neighbors and Western powers. The significance of this moment was underscored by a series of high-level meetings, including a much-anticipated sit-down with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 22. According to the US State Department, discussions focused on shared goals for a "stable and sovereign Syria" and the implementation of President Donald Trump’s “historic” decision in May to ease sanctions on the war-ravaged country.
The Trump administration’s move to lift many of the economic sanctions—announced at the Saudi-American Investment Forum—marked a notable shift in American policy after years of enforcing harsh penalties intended to isolate the Assad regime. “It’s time to give Syria a chance, and I wish it good luck,” Trump declared at the time. The easing of sanctions has opened doors to new investments and, as Rubio emphasized in New York, created “an opportunity for Syria to build a stable and sovereign nation.”
Yet, as al-Sharaa made clear during his participation at the Concordia Annual Summit, much work remains to be done. “The Syrian people should not be killed another time through the sanctions,” he said, renewing his call for the US Congress to remove the remaining restrictions, including the Caesar Syria Civil Protection Act. “Syria needs a new chance at life.” Al-Sharaa argued that while Trump’s decision was bold, Congress must now follow through to enable full economic recovery and support Syria’s reconstruction.
Al-Sharaa’s message was echoed by Foreign Minister al-Shibani, who met with Secretary Rubio on September 23 to discuss strengthening Syrian-American relations, lifting sanctions, and exploring “strategic cooperation” in political, security, and economic fields. Both sides affirmed the need to support Syria’s government in its reconstruction and development phase, and to develop a balanced relationship that serves the interests of the Syrian people and contributes to broader regional stability.
The thaw in relations is not without its complications. Al-Sharaa, who once led the al-Nusra Front and later Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—groups previously designated as terrorist organizations by the US—has undergone what retired US General David Petraeus described as “one of the most dramatic political transformations in recent Middle Eastern history.” Petraeus, who interviewed al-Sharaa at the Concordia Summit, recalled their adversarial past during the Iraq War, when US forces under his command captured and imprisoned al-Sharaa. “At a time, we were in combat and now we move to discourse,” al-Sharaa said, reflecting on the surreal transition from battlefield foes to diplomatic interlocutors.
Petraeus, who later served as CIA director, did not shy away from praising the Syrian leader. “His trajectory from insurgent leader to head of state has been one of the most dramatic political transformations in recent Middle Eastern history,” Petraeus told the audience. He also expressed personal concern for al-Sharaa’s wellbeing, asking whether the president was managing to get enough sleep amid the whirlwind of diplomatic activity. “He has many fans, and I am one of them,” Petraeus said, highlighting the remarkable journey that brought al-Sharaa from insurgency to international diplomacy.
Al-Sharaa, for his part, acknowledged past mistakes but insisted that the priority now is defending the Syrian people and stabilizing the region. “Our commitment to that line is what brought us here today to [New York], sitting here among allies and friends,” he said. He also stressed the importance of accountability for violence in Syria, noting that a newly formed council is investigating incidents of sectarian violence and promising prosecution of all violators, regardless of their affiliation. “The Syrian state will work on accountability against those found guilty even if they were the closest people to us,” he stated, according to Senate committee sources.
The issue of sanctions dominated nearly every conversation. Al-Sharaa and al-Shibani met with US Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Gregory Meeks, both of whom support legislation to lift the remaining penalties and repeal the Caesar Act. According to Shaheen, “Congress should pass legislation she is co-sponsoring to lift penalties still in place,” a sentiment echoed by al-Shibani, who posted on X that their discussions focused on enabling economic recovery and counterterrorism efforts.
Despite the warming of relations, al-Sharaa remains cautious about Syria’s role in broader regional developments. He expressed skepticism about joining the Abraham Accords, the Trump-era initiative that saw several Arab states normalize relations with Israel. “There’s a big difference between Syria and those members in the Abraham Accords,” he said, pointing to Syria’s direct experience of over 1,000 Israeli raids and strikes. “Syria as a neighbor has been subjected to over 1,000 raids, strikes and Israeli incursions.” Nevertheless, al-Sharaa confirmed that Syria is in advanced talks with the US and Israel over a potential security arrangement, possibly to be finalized during the week of the UN General Assembly.
On domestic priorities, al-Sharaa emphasized the need to unite the Syrian people and territory, strengthen economic development, and protect the rights of minorities—including the Kurdish population in the north. He was clear, however, that Kurdish armed forces must not operate outside the state’s authority: “The government and its army must be the only entity with guns.”
As the UN General Assembly’s 80th session got underway on September 23, al-Sharaa prepared to deliver a speech outlining Syria’s new direction. The agenda before world leaders included discussions on peace and security, human rights, economic development, and conflict resolution—issues that resonate deeply with Syria’s current challenges and aspirations.
For a country so long defined by conflict and isolation, the sight of a Syrian president walking the halls of the United Nations—shaking hands with American officials and calling for partnership—marks a striking new chapter. Whether this moment will translate into lasting stability and prosperity for Syria remains to be seen, but for now, it is a testament to the power of political transformation and the enduring hope for peace.