On September 12, 2025, a rare and consequential meeting took place in Damascus, Syria’s war-battered capital. Admiral Brad Cooper, the newly appointed head of the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), sat down with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. The moment marked a significant, if cautious, step in the tangled web of Middle Eastern diplomacy, as the two sides addressed prospects for political and military cooperation in a region still reeling from years of conflict and shifting alliances.
Joining Admiral Cooper was US Ambassador and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, underscoring the seriousness of Washington’s overture. According to statements from both the Syrian presidency and CENTCOM, the talks were wide-ranging, focusing on how to consolidate security and stability in Syria and the broader region. The meeting, as reported by the Associated Press and Arab News, was described by the Syrian presidency as reflecting a “positive atmosphere and shared interest in strengthening the strategic partnership and expanding channels of communication between Damascus and Washington.”
This new phase of dialogue comes as Syria struggles to recover from nearly 14 years of internal war, a conflict that has left the country’s infrastructure shattered and its people traumatized. The United States, for its part, has maintained a troop presence at several bases in Syria, primarily to combat the threat posed by the Islamic State group, known variously as ISIL or Daesh, which once controlled large swathes of Syria and neighboring Iraq. The ongoing US military operations have included periodic raids and airstrikes aimed at preventing the resurgence of jihadist elements.
The meeting in Damascus tackled precisely this issue. Both sides discussed the persistent threat posed by ISIL and explored efforts to integrate various Syrian armed groups into the government’s military apparatus. CENTCOM’s statement following the talks thanked President Sharaa for “his support to counter Daesh in Syria,” emphasizing that “eliminating the Daesh threat in Syria will reduce the risk of a Daesh attack on the US homeland while working toward President Trump’s vision of a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors.”
Such direct engagement between the US military and Syrian leadership is unusual, given the years of hostilities and mutual suspicion that have characterized their relationship. Yet, the meeting also acknowledged the need for broader cooperation beyond the battlefield. According to the Syrian presidency, the dialogue addressed “prospects for cooperation in the political and military fields in the service of shared interests and consolidating the foundations of security and stability in Syria and the region.”
One notable aspect of the talks was the acknowledgment of Syria’s role in supporting the recovery of US citizens inside the country. Several Americans went missing or were killed during Syria’s civil war, which erupted in 2011. CENTCOM praised Syrian authorities for their assistance in these sensitive matters, a gesture that points to a cautious thaw in bilateral relations, at least on certain humanitarian and security issues.
The diplomatic overture comes at a time of transition for US policy in the region. In April 2025, the Pentagon announced plans to reduce the number of American troops in Syria to fewer than 1,000, as part of a broader consolidation of US forces. Special Envoy Barrack stated in June that the military would eventually close all but one of its bases in Syria, signaling a shift toward a more streamlined and targeted presence. Despite this drawdown, the US remains committed to targeting remnants of jihadist groups to prevent their resurgence, a strategy that necessitates at least some level of coordination with local authorities.
Admiral Cooper, who took up his post as CENTCOM head in early August 2025, has wasted little time in engaging with key regional actors. Earlier this month, he visited Israel, marking his first official trip to the US ally since his appointment. Israel, for its part, has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024, even as it has opened an unprecedented dialogue with the Islamist transitional authorities now in power in Damascus. According to the Israeli military, these strikes have targeted Iranian-backed militias and weapons shipments, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of alliances and enmities in the region.
The context for these developments is nothing if not complex. Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war has left deep scars, with millions displaced and the country’s economy in ruins. The emergence of ISIL in 2014 brought new levels of violence and chaos, drawing in foreign powers and leading to the establishment of US and allied bases on Syrian soil. The defeat of ISIL’s territorial caliphate was a major milestone, but the group’s remnants continue to pose a threat, both locally and globally.
Efforts to integrate various armed groups into the Syrian government’s military are seen as a way to consolidate control and prevent the re-emergence of lawless zones where extremists can regroup. Yet, the process is fraught with challenges, not least the deep mistrust among different factions and the legacy of years of brutal conflict. As one CENTCOM official put it, “Political and military cooperation is essential if we’re to boost security and stability in Syria as it recovers from this long, devastating war.”
The United States’ willingness to engage directly with Syria’s leadership also reflects a pragmatic recognition of the realities on the ground. As the Pentagon reduces its footprint in the country, the need for local partnerships becomes ever more pressing. The hope, at least on paper, is that such engagement can help lay the groundwork for a more stable and peaceful Syria, even as the broader regional picture remains unsettled.
For Syrians, the stakes could not be higher. The country’s battered institutions are in dire need of reconstruction, and the specter of renewed violence looms large. The international community, too, has a vested interest in preventing Syria from once again becoming a breeding ground for extremism. As the talks in Damascus suggest, there may be a window—however narrow—for building a new foundation of cooperation, one that serves both Syrian interests and the broader goal of regional stability.
As the dust settles on this latest diplomatic engagement, the real test will be whether words translate into action. The challenges are immense, but so too is the potential for a new chapter in US-Syrian relations. For now, at least, both sides appear willing to explore the possibilities.
