President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday before continuing his Middle East tour to Qatar. Al-Sharaa, once an insurgent leader and former detainee of U.S. forces in Iraq, assumed Syria’s presidency in January following a surprise offensive by his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which ended the Assad family’s decades-long rule.
According to the White House, Trump will briefly greet al-Sharaa at the urging of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump also announced plans to lift longstanding sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during Bashar Assad’s regime.
Speaking Tuesday, Trump said, “There’s a new leadership in Syria that we hope can bring stability and peace,” highlighting the end of sanctions that have been in place since 2011.
Al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, fought U.S. forces in Iraq as part of al-Qaida before returning to Syria in 2011. He led al-Qaida’s affiliate, the Nusra Front, which later rebranded as HTS and distanced itself from al-Qaida. Al-Sharaa still faces terrorism-related charges in Iraq, where the U.S. once offered a $10 million reward for his capture.
After his encounter with al-Sharaa, Trump will attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He’ll then travel to Qatar, the next stop on his regional trip.
Qatar, ruled by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani since 2013, has used its vast oil and natural gas wealth to expand its influence. It launched the Al Jazeera network, which played a major media role during the Arab Spring, and has faced scrutiny over corruption scandals, including alleged bribery involving FIFA and European politicians. U.S. authorities in 2024 settled a major case involving defense contractor RTX, which paid nearly $1 billion over bribery allegations tied to Qatari contracts. Qatar denies any wrongdoing.
Despite its conservative Wahhabi roots, Qatar supported Islamist movements during the Arab Spring, including Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. This led to a regional boycott by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, which only ended as President Joe Biden prepared to take office in 2021.
Qatar has also acted as a mediator in several global conflicts, including hosting peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban and facilitating negotiations in the Israel-Hamas conflict. It also hosts Al-Udeid Air Base, the U.S. military’s regional headquarters.
A point of controversy during Trump’s visit is Qatar’s offer of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet for use as Air Force One while replacements are under construction. Trump has supported the idea, framing it as a cost-saving measure. Critics, however, warn it could be seen as an inappropriate gift from a foreign government.
Trump posted on social media Wednesday defending the potential deal, stating, “It’s a gift from a nation we’ve defended for years. Why should taxpayers foot the bill when Qatar is offering it for free?” He added the plane would eventually become part of his presidential library and would not be used after he leaves office.