In a development that has raised eyebrows across diplomatic and military circles, Admiral Brad Cooper, the newly appointed commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), made a historic visit to Damascus on September 12, 2025, holding talks with Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace. This rare face-to-face meeting marked the first time a CENTCOM chief has set foot in the Syrian capital, signaling a potential shift in the long-frosty relationship between Washington and Damascus.
According to The Associated Press, Admiral Cooper was joined by U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack. The high-level American delegation was received not only by President al-Sharaa but also by Syrian ministers and senior officials, underscoring the significance both sides placed on the encounter. The talks, described by diplomatic sources as positive and forward-looking, focused on deepening political and military cooperation to serve common interests and bolster the foundations of security and stability in Syria and the wider region.
The discussions come at a critical juncture for Syria. After nearly 14 years of civil war, the country remains fractured and vulnerable, with the militant Islamic State (ISIS) group still posing a persistent threat. Despite ISIS’s territorial defeat in March 2019, sleeper cells continue to launch deadly attacks, mainly targeting the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Prisons controlled by these Kurdish-led forces currently hold around 9,000 ISIS members without trial, while the notorious al-Hol Camp near the Iraqi border houses tens of thousands of people—mostly wives, widows, and children of ISIS fighters, including nationals from Syria, Iraq, and other countries who flocked to join the group at its peak in 2014.
Central Command emphasized the urgency of the mission. "Eliminating the ISIS threat in Syria will reduce the risk of an ISIS attack on the U.S. homeland while working towards President Trump’s vision of a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors," CENTCOM stated, as reported by AP and echoed in the official CENTCOM press release. Both Admiral Cooper and Ambassador Barrack thanked President al-Sharaa for his government’s support in combating ISIS, and praised Syria for aiding in the recovery of U.S. citizens held within its borders.
While the presence of U.S. troops in eastern Syria—numbering in the hundreds—remains a contentious issue, the visit highlighted Washington’s ongoing commitment to the international coalition’s counterterrorism mission. Cooper’s trip to Damascus, however, broke new ground; previous U.S. military visits had been limited to regions under SDF control in northeastern Syria. According to the Syrian Presidency, this meeting reflected a positive atmosphere and a shared commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership and expanding communication channels between the two capitals.
For Damascus, the encounter offers a rare opportunity to reengage with Washington after years of estrangement driven by the Syrian conflict and its aftermath. Analysts cited by The Media Line suggest the CENTCOM chief’s visit carries strategic weight, linking security cooperation with broader diplomatic engagement. The talks reportedly connected military-security issues with political-diplomatic efforts, mirroring a U.S. approach that is now testing direct cooperation with Damascus on counterterrorism and border control, while also exploring the future of U.S. military presence in the region.
Notably, the conversation extended beyond immediate security concerns. Both sides discussed efforts to integrate various Syrian armed groups—including the SDF—into the new Syrian government’s military. This is part of a broader negotiation process, with the March 10, 2025, agreement between al-Sharaa and SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi laying the groundwork for integrating SDF’s civilian and military institutions into Syrian state structures. During a previous visit to northeastern Syria on September 4, Admiral Cooper had met with Abdi, reaffirming U.S. support for the SDF, joint counterterrorism operations, and ongoing dialogue with Damascus. Abdi, for his part, reiterated the SDF’s commitment to negotiations and to implementing the March 10 agreement, emphasizing the need for confidence-building steps from Damascus.
Washington’s praise for Syria’s role in supporting the recovery of American citizens further illustrates the thawing of relations. According to CENTCOM’s official statement, the U.S. remains committed to continuing efforts that support its goals in the Middle East, including negotiations for integrating Syrian armed factions into the government’s military. The three leaders—Cooper, Barrack, and al-Sharaa—committed to future meetings to ensure both countries remain focused on countering ISIS in Syria.
This diplomatic overture did not happen in a vacuum. The meeting comes as the United States reassesses its posture in the Middle East following years marked by tension, military interventions, and shifting alliances. For President al-Sharaa, the talks represent an opening to revive Syria’s role on the regional and international stage. The visit also recalled an earlier milestone: a meeting in Riyadh between U.S. President Donald Trump and al-Sharaa, which initiated discussions on easing U.S. sanctions and reviving American involvement in efforts toward a political settlement in Syria. While that session produced limited immediate outcomes, observers believe it laid the groundwork for the current dialogue.
Looking ahead, President al-Sharaa is set to travel to New York later this month to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 23 to 27. His upcoming trip is widely seen as another opportunity to engage with international partners and further Syria’s reintegration into the diplomatic fold.
Admiral Cooper’s own trajectory underscores the gravity of the moment. Having assumed command of CENTCOM in June 2025—after being nominated by President Trump and succeeding Michael Kurilla—Cooper brings more than three decades of naval experience, including command of warships and leadership of multinational operations. His decision to visit Damascus so early in his tenure is a clear signal that Washington is willing to test new avenues of engagement in the region.
Yet, major questions remain. Will this apparent thaw lead to tangible changes on the ground? Can the United States and Syria move beyond years of conflict, mistrust, and proxy battles to forge a more stable partnership? Will the integration of armed groups and the fight against ISIS create a durable peace, or will old grievances and regional rivalries resurface?
For now, both sides are treading carefully. As the CENTCOM statement concluded, “The three leaders committed to meeting in the future to ensure both countries remain focused on countering ISIS in Syria.” It’s a cautious note, but one that suggests a willingness—at least for now—to keep talking, keep cooperating, and perhaps, just perhaps, to chart a new course in a region long defined by its divisions.
