Trump Signals Major US Policy Shift on Syria with Praise for al-Sharaa and Terror Designation Review at 2026 NATO Summit

US President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026, lavishing praise on the former jihadist leader and signaling intent to remove Syria from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list for the first time since 1979. Trump described al-Sharaa as having done a "fantastic job" unifying the country in roughly 18 months and called him a "strong person" and "great leader" respected by many, including himself.

The meeting occurred amid broader NATO discussions and followed the lifting of economic sanctions on Syria earlier in Trump's term, moves reportedly influenced by Saudi and Gulf partners. Trump explicitly addressed the terrorism designation during the bilateral session, telling reporters he believed Syria should come off the list, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio notifying Congress of the administration's intent—triggering a required 45-day review period.

This represents a striking reversal from prior US policy. Al-Sharaa, previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and linked to al-Qaeda affiliates like al-Nusra Front, had a $10 million bounty on his head before Syria's post-Assad transition. The shift aligns with Turkish efforts to shape a neighboring Syria within its sphere of influence and Gulf financing for reconstruction. Trump also reiterated suggestions that Syria could play a role in addressing Hezbollah in Lebanon, though al-Sharaa has previously downplayed military intervention feasibility; his foreign minister's recent visit to Beirut appears aimed at reassurance rather than escalation.

Mainstream reporting confirms the encounter and policy signals across multiple outlets, highlighting institutional momentum behind engagement with the new Syrian government despite its origins. Critics note ongoing risks around governance, human rights, and regional stability, but the developments underscore rapid realignment in Middle East dynamics, potentially easing investment barriers and altering leverage points vis-à-vis Iran and Lebanon.