In a remarkable diplomatic breakthrough, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa is set to become the first Syrian leader to visit Washington since the country's independence in 1946, marking a profound transformation in U.S.-Syria relations [1][2].

Two decades ago, Al-Sharaa was a detained militant held in a U.S.-run detention center in Iraq after joining al-Qaida fighters. Today, he stands poised to negotiate Syria's potential entry into the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS and seek the repeal of long-standing economic sanctions [3][4].

Al-Sharaa's political journey represents an extraordinary narrative of transformation. After leading rebel forces that ousted former President Bashar Assad last December, he has embarked on an ambitious diplomatic charm offensive, systematically rebuilding international relationships previously severed by years of civil conflict [5][6].

A pivotal moment in this diplomatic rehabilitation occurred in May, when Al-Sharaa met President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. During this meeting, Trump signaled potential sanctions relief, setting the stage for Monday's historic White House summit [7][8].

The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on Syria's potential membership in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group, a strategic objective that could fundamentally reshape Middle Eastern geopolitical dynamics [9][10].