At the start of this week, an intriguing series of diplomatic moves unfolded in three influential capitals – Abu Dhabi, Beirut, and Washington – all tied to the questions of normalizing relations with Israel, securing regional stability, and shaping Syria’s political future.
The synchronized events began with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s high-profile visit to the UAE. This visit coincided with U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack’s trip to Beirut to receive Lebanon’s official response to a U.S. proposal on security and political arrangements concerning southern Lebanon and Syria.
During a press conference in Beirut, Barrack confirmed that preliminary dialogue between Syria and Israel had already begun. He noted that Syria’s new government, which came to power in December last year following the fall of Iran’s ally Bashar Al-Assad, has started opening channels of communication with Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington added another layer to this diplomatic momentum.
A Shifting U.S. Stance
In a move signaling a notable shift in U.S. policy toward the “new Syria,” President Donald Trump’s administration recently removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra led by Syria’s new president Al-Sharaa) from its list of designated terrorist organizations. In an official memo, Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited Syria’s government for disbanding the group and pledging to combat terrorism in all forms.
This step was reinforced by an executive order lifting decades-old sanctions on Syria, a clear indication of support for the new government and a boost for the country’s fragile economic recovery.
Read also: Secret Syria-Israel Talks Consider U.S. Troops on Golan Buffer Zone
A Region Repositioning
Observers see these moves as part of a broader strategy to anchor Syria within a clear regional framework, especially following the October 7 events known as the “Al-Aqsa Flood,” which triggered the final unraveling of Assad’s regime and weakened Iran’s foothold in Syria.
Some analysts believe these developments are laying the groundwork for possible Syrian-Israeli security or political agreements. Netanyahu hinted at this new chapter while meeting Trump in Washington, describing the region as preparing for a “new era of peace with Israel.”
No Full Normalization Yet
Syrian analyst Firas Alawi cautions that Al-Sharaa’s UAE visit should not be read as proof of direct talks with Israeli officials, dismissing reports of secret meetings as “Israeli propaganda.” Speaking to +963, Alawi said that while Syria is willing to expand the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, it does not seek full normalization. Israel, on the other hand, wants comprehensive ties with all its neighbors to guarantee its security.
Alawi adds that the U.S. is primarily focused on maintaining functional stability in Syria.
From a Washington perspective, U.S. affairs writer Tareq Al-Shami argues that a clear path to peace between Syria and Israel remains elusive. He points out that normalization is unlikely soon, given Israel’s refusal to relinquish the occupied Golan Heights, while Damascus insists on reclaiming it, at least in part.
Even so, Al-Shami says the current moment could reshape Syrian-Israeli relations and help prevent another major Middle Eastern conflict. He highlights Syria’s pragmatic new leadership, Gulf support, and U.S. engagement as signals that Al-Sharaa prioritizes internal reconciliation and better ties with neighbors.
Recent moves, including pressuring Hamas leaders and other groups labeled “terrorist” to leave Syria and granting the IAEA full access to suspect nuclear sites, aim to demonstrate that commitment.
Read also: From Sanctions to Normalization: Will Al-Sharaa Sacrifice the Golan for Peace?
A Long Road Ahead
Despite speculation fueled by Trump’s statements during his meeting with Al-Sharaa in Riyadh last May about possible peace, Al-Shami warns that any agreement faces deep challenges. Chief among them: the Golan Heights, Israel’s ongoing airstrikes in Syria, and Turkey’s expanding influence. All these issues tie directly into Syria’s still-fragile rebuilding process.
Al-Shami believes that seizing this moment requires patience and gradual steps, starting with trust-building measures and temporary security deals. He emphasizes that Washington must sustain its diplomatic push even if short-term gains are limited, and Syria must deliver credible security guarantees to Israel. For its part, Israel will need to offer political and symbolic concessions acceptable to Syrians.
Progress, he concludes, hinges on mutual political will and long-term commitment.
Step-by-Step Approach
Syrian writer Mustafa Al-Nuaimi agrees that the recent reports about early talks, reportedly brokered by the U.S., do not amount to full normalization yet. Speaking to +963, he stresses how fluid the situation is amid shifting international alliances and a changing Arab order.
Asked whether Syria’s leadership might see ties with Israel as a path to stability after years of war, Al-Nuaimi says normalization could help Syria reintegrate internationally and unlock reconstruction funds. For the Al-Sharaa government, that might mean legitimacy and an easing of sanctions.
But hurdles remain. Al-Nuaimi notes that the Palestinian question remains central for many Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, which insists on a fair settlement before any full normalization with Israel. Countries like the UAE and Bahrain normalized ties under the Abraham Accords, a process that never included Syria.
Crucially, he says, the return of the occupied Golan Heights will remain a non-negotiable Syrian demand.
Al-Nuaimi concludes that any potential deal will likely follow a “step-for-step” formula: Syria takes action to meet U.S. and Israeli conditions in exchange for phased sanctions relief and security assurances.
