The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump will engage in discussions on Sunday with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharah during a NATO summit in Turkey. Al-Sharah, a former al-Qaeda jihadist, has notably succeeded in toppling Bashar al-Assad.
Syria isn’t part of NATO and hasn’t been invited to previous summits, largely due to Assad’s alignment with Russia and Iran. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a leading supporter of al-Sharah’s former militia, has chosen to invite the Syrian leader along with several other Middle Eastern leaders to discuss regional conflicts, especially the situation involving the US and Iran, Israel’s actions in Lebanon, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
An anonymous US official indicated that discussions at the NATO summit will likely encompass the ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has intermittently blocked during its conflict with the US. The official suggested, “I believe maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz will definitely come up. Several allies have offered resources.”
President Erdoğan mentioned that he plans to meet with President Trump shortly, right after his discussion with NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump is set to have two bilateral meetings on July 8, one with al-Sharah and another with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This marks a noteworthy shift in Syria’s geopolitical standing since al-Sharah assumed power in December 2024. While Assad was backed by Russia during his civil war, al-Sharah has reportedly maintained several private meetings with Zelenskyy, establishing a solid relationship between Syria and Ukraine, both nations navigating a complex geopolitical landscape.
Initial reports surfaced back in May, detailing Erdogan’s interest in inviting al-Sharah to the summit—a move considered unprecedented. Some speculate that Erdogan aims to redirect NATO’s focus towards Middle Eastern issues, perhaps overshadowing the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Kurdish media later confirmed that al-Sharah accepted the invitation, which isn’t surprising given his apparent eagerness to participate in international dialogues, such as the climate change summit set for November. However, the final schedule for al-Sharah’s attendance and his engagements with other leaders remains unconfirmed.
Trump and al-Sharah have previously met at least twice, including a visit in May 2025 during a Saudi trip and another at the White House in November. Following their first meeting, Trump praised al-Sharah, describing him as a “young, attractive man” with a knack for coordination.
During their later encounter, Trump presented al-Sharah with a gift and reflected on their shared challenging pasts, suggesting that such experiences are an integral part of growth. Trump also voiced his confidence in al-Sharah’s capabilities during the G7 summit in June, asserting that he believed Syria could tackle terrorist threats in Lebanon more effectively than Israel, which he criticized for its prolonged engagements that result in significant casualties.
Trump remarked, “Israel’s been embroiled in conflict with Hezbollah for too long… I suggested they let Syria handle Hezbollah, as al-Sharah is quite competent.” Still, the Syrian government firmly denies any intentions of military involvement in Lebanon. Recently, Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani visited Beirut to assure President Joseph Aoun that Syria has no plans to pursue any factional alignments in Lebanon, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Aoun noted that al-Sharah has consistently communicated a commitment to a balanced Syrian role in Lebanon, emphasizing collaboration with all factions rather than siding against any particular group. Shaibani also mentioned that the Syrian government is open to discussions with Hezbollah, aiming to foster peace in Lebanon.
