On November 10, 2025, a historic meeting unfolded at the White House, Washington, D.C., gathering Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump. This summit marked the first visit by a Syrian leader to the U.S. presidential residence since Syria’s independence 80 years ago.
Fidan, representing Turkey, was invited to convey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s greetings and discuss Turkey’s strategic perspectives on Syria. The discussions encompassed broad topics such as Syria’s unity, peace, development, and possibilities for a tripartite cooperation for regional stability, emphasizing potential partnerships between the United States and Turkey.
Symbolizing potential diplomatic groundbreaking, Fidan also engaged with key US officials like Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, reflecting a nuanced approach towards comprehensive international diplomacy.
This rare assembly poses opportunities alongside challenges, especially considering the intricate nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics. It sets a precedent as a new chapter in U.S.-Syria relations may unfold.