For the first time in a quarter-century, senior officials from Syria and Israel convened for direct, high-level talks, marking a striking—if fragile—shift in a region long defined by hostility and suspicion. The US-brokered summit, held behind closed doors in Paris on August 19, 2025, brought together Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, according to DW and corroborated by Syria’s state news agency SANA. The agenda was ambitious: de-escalating military tensions, agreeing to mutual non-interference in domestic affairs, reactivating the 1974 disengagement agreement, and—perhaps most urgently—addressing humanitarian needs for Syria’s embattled Druze minority.
The talks come after years of near-total silence between the two countries, which have technically been at war since 1967, when Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria—a strategic plateau still recognized by most of the world as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation. Only Israel and the United States officially recognize the Israeli annexation of the Golan. A 1974 ceasefire established a UN buffer zone in the area, but the arrangement has been repeatedly strained, especially since the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024. Since then, Israel has reportedly conducted around 1,000 strikes on Syrian territory and deployed troops beyond the demilitarized zone, a move that Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has condemned, though he has emphasized his desire to avoid war.
The Paris meeting follows an earlier round of lower-level talks in July that ended without agreement, highlighting both the deep-seated mistrust and the sense of urgency now gripping both capitals. According to SANA, the latest session concluded with a commitment to continue discussions, though Israeli officials have declined to comment publicly. The involvement of the United States, represented by Tom Barrack, signals Washington’s intent to foster a “prosperous Middle East”—a vision that, as DW notes, includes normalizing relations between Israel and its neighbors, Syria among them.
What’s driving this sudden diplomatic thaw? Security, above all. As Shalom Lipner, a veteran Israeli diplomat and former advisor to seven prime ministers, including Benjamin Netanyahu, told DW, “Immediate Israeli goals are to guarantee security along the border region with Syria, prevent any entrenchment of hostile interlopers who might compromise an accommodation with Damascus, and additionally, ensure the protection of Syria’s Druze population.”
The Druze, a religious minority with deep roots in both Israel and Syria, have found themselves at the heart of the current crisis. In Israel, roughly 150,000 Druze are the only minority group subject to military conscription. In Syria, an estimated 700,000 Druze constitute one of the country’s largest minority communities. Sectarian violence in July left more than 1,700 dead, prompting Israel to insist on the creation of a humanitarian corridor into Sweida, a Druze stronghold. However, as Axios reported, Syrian officials fear such a corridor could be exploited by Druze militias to smuggle weapons, adding another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation.
On August 19, US envoy Tom Barrack met with Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif to discuss ways to “bring together the interests of all parties, de-escalate tensions, and build understanding.” The humanitarian picture remains bleak. Action For Humanity, the parent NGO of Syria Relief, released a report warning that “the humanitarian situation is deteriorating amid reported shortages in essential services and restrictions on freedom of movement,” with displaced civilians depending on informal shelters and severe food insecurity persisting.
From the perspective of regional analysts, these talks represent more than a fleeting opportunity—they may be a necessary step for Syria to regain legitimacy at home and abroad. Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, told DW, “Improving the way in which minorities are treated could serve Syria to create the space for the government to unite the country, improve its image vis-a-vis the United States and the rest of the world. It could also deescalate tensions with Israel as for them, the issue of the Druze is the most pertinent.” Nanar Hawach of the International Crisis Group echoed this, suggesting that progress might help Damascus “regain the trust not only of the Druze community, but also of different communities that are not aligned with the state.”
Meanwhile, Jordan and Russia have been working in parallel to address the broader regional crisis. On August 20, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, where they reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and coordinating on regional flashpoints, including Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank. Lavrov highlighted Russia’s support for international recognition of a Palestinian state and called for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of prisoner exchange deals. Safadi, for his part, condemned Israel’s “aggressive and expansionist” policies in Gaza and the West Bank, warning of “catastrophic repercussions” if Israel continues its current course.
Safadi also underscored Jordan’s support for Syria’s reconstruction and stability, stressing that “preserving Syria’s unity is a red line.” He noted that Jordan, working with Syria and the US, is committed to a solution that guarantees the rights of Sweida’s residents and the country’s territorial integrity. A tripartite committee has been established to maintain the ceasefire and pursue a lasting solution, with the Amman Statement outlining Damascus’ commitment to cooperate with UN agencies, deliver aid, and reintegrate Sweida into the state.
Against this complex backdrop, the prospect of normalized relations between Israel and Syria remains distant, but not impossible. As Shalom Lipner observed, “From Israel’s perspective, normalization would be a longer-term, aspirational objective.” Yossi Mekelberg cautioned that normalization is unlikely while the war in Gaza continues, but did not rule out the possibility if the conflict subsides and talks progress. “It might lead to a normalization process,” he said, though he emphasized the uncertainty of both governments’ intentions.
For now, the region remains on a knife’s edge, with humanitarian crises, shifting alliances, and deep political wounds shaping every diplomatic move. Yet the recent flurry of talks—however tentative—suggests that even after decades of enmity, dialogue is possible. Whether these efforts will bear fruit or be swept aside by new waves of violence remains to be seen. But for Syrians, Israelis, and their neighbors, the stakes could hardly be higher.