Last week, Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa led a government delegation to the United States, accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This was the first time since 1967, when then-president Noureddine al-Atassi addressed the UN, that a Syrian leader spoke from this stage. Al-Sharaa’s visit combined official meetings and dialogue sessions, where he outlined the interim government’s roadmap for rebuilding Syria and navigating its immense challenges.
Internal and External Complications
The visit came amid a complex backdrop. Ten months after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syria faces persistent security instability, a deepening economic crisis worsened by Western sanctions, especially the US Caesar Act, and repeated Israeli strikes in the south-west despite ongoing negotiations for a security arrangement with Tel Aviv.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, al-Sharaa held a high-profile meeting with US president Donald Trump, where they discussed Syria’s political process and relations with Israel. He also met US secretary of state Marco Rubio and members of Congress, pressing for the lifting of the Caesar Act, which blocks foreign investment and reconstruction. Additional talks included Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s president Alexander Stubb, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Kuwait’s crown prince Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid, and other leaders, as part of broader efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international community.
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Address to the General Assembly
In his UN speech, al-Sharaa declared: “Syria has become a country of opportunity for peace and prosperity after decades of tyranny. A regime that killed one million Syrians is gone. We are committed to justice, accountability, and elections.”
He also condemned Israel’s ongoing violations while reaffirming Syria’s commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement.
A Diplomatic Step Forward
Dr. Salah Qirata, professor of political science in Madrid, described the visit as a “diplomatic breakthrough”: “Al-Sharaa’s presence at the UN reinforced the legitimacy of Syria’s interim government and its readiness to re-engage internationally. His talks with Trump could ease both political and economic bottlenecks.”
Qirata noted that the visit could open investment channels and pave the way for reconstruction, but only if Syria provides a transparent, secure environment for investors and proves its commitment to reform.
Mohammad Fadel Fatoum, a member of the Syrian Equal Citizenship Alliance in Damascus, argued the visit also served Washington’s interests, “By presenting the interim government as credible at the UN, the US and Israel secure their vision of a Syria integrated into regional peace and stability. It is as much about marketing Syria’s transformation as it is about reconciliation.”
Key Issues: Suwayda and Israel
Among the most complex issues on the agenda in New York was the situation in southern Syria, especially Suwayda province, and repeated Israeli strikes and incursions, alongside insecurity in the region. This came despite ongoing talks between Damascus and Tel Aviv over a security agreement. US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack even spoke of the two sides being “close to reaching a de-escalation deal” as a precursor to a broader agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set out his conditions for such an agreement on Thursday. His office posted on “X” that “Negotiations are ongoing with Syria and we aim to ensure Israel’s interests. Our interests in the negotiations include disarmament of southwest Syria and maintaining the safety of the Druze.” Two days earlier, Defence Minister Israel Katz had insisted Israel’s army would remain atop Mount Hermon in southwest Syria.
Qirata commented that the visit is not the only factor shaping Syria’s internal and regional files, whether in Suwayda or regarding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He argued priorities remain tied to domestic security and political stability, and the government’s ability to impose order. Still, he saw the visit as “the start of reconstruction, recovery and growth; if backed by real steps”.
On relations with Israel and Turkey’s role in northern Syria, Qirata stressed these are “complicated and interconnected files influenced by many regional and international factors. The visit may clarify Syria’s stance and open space for negotiations, but it will not bring immediate solutions. It could, however, pave the way for dialogue and facilitate diplomacy in the medium term.”
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US Sanctions and the UN Return
As al-Sharaa spoke at the General Assembly, the US Treasury announced changes to sanctions on Syria. In a statement, it said its Office of Foreign Assets Control had renamed them “Sanctions Regulations to Promote Accountability for Assad and Regional Stability”. Under this, general sanctions on Syria were lifted, the emergency status imposed since 2004 was ended, but sanctions remain on war criminals, human rights abusers and Captagon smuggling networks. Some people and entities may be re-listed if proven complicit. The regulations also incorporate the Caesar Act and the Counter-Captagon Act as bases for future sanctions.
Earlier, during a panel hosted by the Middle East Institute in New York, al-Sharaa had said: “Syria will not be a source of danger to anyone. It will stand at equal distance from all. This visit marks Syria’s return to the international community. Any agreement with Israel would pave the way for broader peace accords in the Middle East.”
He also confirmed he had offered the SDF to merge into the national army, benefiting from their expertise, and had assured their commander, General Mazloum Abdi, that Kurdish rights are guaranteed in Syria and solutions must be peaceful. In talks with former CIA director General David Petraeus, he stressed that the coming phase requires unifying efforts and overcoming divisions to build a stable state. He acknowledged Syria needs time to achieve stability and pointed to an ongoing national dialogue involving all communities.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Washington is committed to giving Syria every chance to build a strong, unified state. Meeting Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers, he said that stability in Syria will bring stability to the region. There is now a historic opportunity, unimaginable a year or two ago. And that president Trump remains committed to supporting Syria in building a unified state that respects its diverse society, not just from a US perspective but in partnership with many countries. Washington wants Syria to be stable, not a base for extremists or foreign actors destabilising its neighbours. Trump’s decision in May to lift sanctions on Syria was a bold step, and the US is firmly committed to this important project.
Observers see al-Sharaa’s visit and UN participation as part of major Syrian, regional and international shifts. The results are expected to align with global political trends led by Washington, including its push for a comprehensive Middle East peace process with Syria as a key player. That also extends to Syrian-Israeli relations, domestic files, the issue of foreign fighters in the Syrian army, combating terrorism, and countering Iranian influence; as well as how Damascus can balance the roles and influence of regional powers such as Russia and Turkey.
