WASHINGTON D.C. – In a landmark reversal of American foreign policy, Syria is set to join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, a senior Trump administration official confirmed on Monday, 10 November 2025. The announcement followed the first-ever White House meeting between a Syrian and a U.S. president, capping a stunning diplomatic rehabilitation for a nation until recently considered a pariah state.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to finalize the agreement, which will see Syria become the 90th member of the international alliance. This development marks a significant pivot for the United States, which for years led efforts to isolate the previous Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad.

In conjunction with the meeting, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a 180-day suspension of sanctions under the Caesar Act, a 2019 law that crippled Syria's economy. According to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the waiver is intended to support Syria's economic reconstruction and restore its ties with international partners.

A Former Adversary Turned Partner

The diplomatic thaw follows the dramatic collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, when rebel forces led by al-Sharaa took control of Damascus. Al-Sharaa, also known by his former nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was the leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that was an offshoot of al-Qaeda. He was officially appointed Syria's transitional president in January 2025.

Until recently, the U.S. government designated al-Sharaa a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" and offered a $10 million reward for his capture. However, following the ouster of Assad, the Trump administration has moved rapidly to re-engage with Damascus. The United Nations Security Council, followed by the U.S. and Britain, lifted personal sanctions on al-Sharaa just last week. The U.S. also revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation for HTS in July 2025, after the group was formally dissolved and its forces integrated into the Syrian military.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, President Trump expressed confidence in the new Syrian leader. "We want to see Syria become a country that's very successful. And I think this leader can do it," Trump said.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

Syria's entry into the Global Coalition holds particular relevance for Kenya, which joined the alliance in 2020 to bolster its fight against terrorism, particularly the Al-Shabaab militant group. As a member, Kenya collaborates with 88 other partners to counter extremist financing, prevent the flow of foreign fighters, and share critical intelligence. The addition of a new member, especially one with Syria's complex history and strategic location, could reshape the coalition's priorities and operational focus.

The U.S. policy shift towards engaging a leader and a group with past ties to al-Qaeda will be closely watched in East Africa. It could signal a more pragmatic, albeit controversial, approach to counter-terrorism, where partnerships are forged based on current strategic interests against a common enemy like ISIS. This could have long-term implications for how international partners engage with state and non-state actors in conflict zones across the African continent, including Somalia.

The coalition's work has increasingly focused on countering ISIS affiliates beyond Iraq and Syria, with a particular emphasis on networks in Africa. A Syrian government actively participating in counter-ISIS intelligence operations could provide valuable insights into the global networks that support extremist groups, potentially benefiting security operations in East Africa.

The Path Ahead

The agreement is expected to formalize intelligence cooperation against remaining ISIS cells in the region. Al-Sharaa's government has already demonstrated its intent by detaining dozens of alleged ISIS members just before his arrival in Washington. While the Caesar Act sanctions are currently waived, a permanent repeal would require an act of the U.S. Congress, a move al-Sharaa is expected to lobby for to attract the foreign investment needed to rebuild the war-torn country.

This historic realignment repositions Syria from an adversary to a partner in the global fight against ISIS. For coalition members like Kenya, it represents a significant evolution in the geopolitical landscape of counter-terrorism, introducing new dynamics and potential opportunities for enhanced cooperation against a shared threat.