In a series of high-stakes diplomatic maneuvers and public statements this week, U.S. President Donald Trump has thrust himself into the center of Middle Eastern geopolitics, urging Israel to maintain a steady and constructive dialogue with Syria's new government. The message, delivered via Truth Social on December 1, 2025, comes at a time of mounting tension and opportunity in the region, following the dramatic ouster of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and the rise of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
"It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous state," Trump wrote, according to Israel Hayom and other outlets. This sentiment was echoed repeatedly throughout the week, as Trump and his administration sought to position themselves as both arbiters and advocates for a new era of peace in the Middle East.
The president's remarks did not emerge in a vacuum. Just hours before, his special envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, met with President al-Sharaa in Damascus, a sign of deepening U.S. engagement in Syria's post-Assad transition. According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, the two discussed "the latest regional developments and issues of common interest," with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also present. The talks underscored Washington's desire to see Syria stabilize and reintegrate into the international community after years of isolation and conflict.
Trump, for his part, has made no secret of his satisfaction with the early progress shown by Syria's new leadership. "We are doing everything within our power to make sure the Government of Syria continues to do what was intended," he wrote, emphasizing that Washington was "very satisfied with the results displayed" in Syria. He praised al-Sharaa as "working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together." The president even called this a "historic opportunity, and adds to the success already attained for peace in the Middle East."
These overtures come against a turbulent backdrop. Less than a week before Trump's statement, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a controversial operation in the Druze village of Beit Jann, just 11 kilometers from the Israeli-Syrian border. The raid, aimed at arresting two suspects linked to terrorist activities against Israel, quickly escalated. According to The Jerusalem Post and Syrian media, Israeli troops encountered about 20 armed militants, resulting in seven Israeli soldiers wounded—three seriously—and at least 10 to 13 Syrians killed, depending on the source.
The operation drew swift condemnation. Syria's Foreign Ministry labeled it a "full-fledged war crime," warning that such strikes threatened security and stability in the region. Najat Rochdi, the UN's deputy special envoy for Syria, described the incursion as "a grave and unacceptable violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, further destabilizing an already fragile environment." Within this context, Trump's call for restraint and dialogue took on added urgency.
Diplomatic efforts to bridge the divide between Israel and Syria have been ongoing but fraught with setbacks. U.S.-brokered talks on a security agreement—intended to stabilize the border and set terms for future relations—have been stalled since September, with both sides holding firm to their demands. Syria insists on a return to the 1974 disengagement agreement and Israeli withdrawal from territories seized after Assad's fall, particularly the strategic Mount Hermon. Israel, meanwhile, wants a demilitarized southern Syria, protection for the Druze minority, and normalization steps from Damascus.
Despite the diplomatic deadlock, there have been moments of historic significance. In early November, President al-Sharaa traveled to Washington, marking the first time a Syrian leader has visited the White House since the country gained independence in 1946. During the visit, Trump extended the freeze on U.S. sanctions for another six months, highlighting his administration's willingness to support Syria's transition. "One of the things that has helped them greatly was my termination of very strong and biting sanctions — I believe this was truly appreciated by Syria, its Leadership, and its People!" Trump wrote, according to Israel Hayom.
Yet, the landscape remains complicated. While Trump and his team have removed several senior Syrian officials from U.S. and UN terror-related sanctions lists, the most significant restrictions—embodied in the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act—remain in place, requiring congressional approval for permanent removal. For now, the administration has waived those penalties for 180 days, a move that can be renewed but not made permanent without legislative action.
On the ground, the situation is no less volatile. Reports persist that groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are building up their presence in Syria, though local officials in Beit Jann have denied the existence of terrorist factions in their area. "We're a peaceful, civilian population, farmers. We have a legitimate right to defend ourselves. We didn't attack them first - they came onto our land," Walid Akasha, a local official, told Reuters. He also recounted that seven villagers were taken in an earlier Israeli raid in June, with no news of their fate since.
Israel remains deeply suspicious of Syria's new government, particularly given President al-Sharaa's background as a former al-Qaeda commander. The Israeli government has demanded a demilitarized southern Syria and has moved troops and military equipment into areas beyond the 1974 buffer zone, including the strategic high ground of Mount Hermon. Israeli interventions have also focused on protecting the Druze minority in Sweida province, who have faced threats from both Sunni Muslim fighters and remnants of the old regime. Israel's Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, has publicly called on the United States to ensure the safety and dignity of minorities in Syria, singling out Trump as the only leader capable of delivering such guarantees.
The stakes could hardly be higher. As Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim al-Olabi, explained in an interview with Al Jazeera, "Syria's restraint toward Israel has led 15 members of the Security Council to criticize Israel and not Syria. This is what brings investments to Syria, this is what helps us restore electricity, and this is what helps us build trust with the international community." Olabi stressed that Syria's new government was using the language of international law and diplomacy rather than military retaliation, arguing, "This approach yields immediate political and economic gains for Syria and frustrates Israel, which wants Syria to react militarily."
With both sides wary but the international community watching closely, the coming months will likely determine whether Trump's vision of a "historic opportunity" for peace bears fruit—or whether old animosities and new suspicions will drag the region back into conflict. For now, the world waits, holding its breath as leaders in Washington, Damascus, and Jerusalem weigh their next moves.