Syrian Foreign Minister Esad al-Sheibani arrived in Washington this week, marking the first official visit by a Syrian top diplomat to the United States in nearly 25 years.

The trip underscores a cautious attempt at re-engagement between Damascus and Washington following decades of strained relations and sweeping U.S. sanctions.

As reported by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, al-Sheibani is expected to meet with American lawmakers and senators to discuss the future of sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act, which has crippled Syria’s economy since 2020. The talks will also address the broader trajectory of bilateral relations and the potential for renewed political and economic cooperation.

According to U.S. outlet Axios, al-Sheibani is scheduled to meet on Friday with Senator Marco Rubio, following earlier outreach to senior members of Congress, including Senator Lindsey Graham. Diplomats and analysts view these meetings as exploratory but significant, given the long freeze in diplomatic channels between the two countries.

The visit comes just weeks after the U.S. Treasury Department ended its formal sanctions program against Syria, removing it from the Federal Register on August 26. While targeted restrictions remain in place, the decision marked a symbolic shift in Washington’s stance and opened space for international companies to re-enter Syria’s reconstruction market.

Damascus has sought to capitalize on this momentum by presenting itself as open to dialogue with Western governments, particularly on issues of rebuilding war-ravaged infrastructure and facilitating humanitarian access. Analysts note that easing sanctions could unlock billions in potential investment, though political obstacles remain.

For Washington, the visit represents both an opportunity and a challenge. U.S. officials have long accused Damascus of human rights abuses and alignment with adversaries such as Iran and Russia. At the same time, regional powers—including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia—have restored diplomatic and economic ties with Syria, adding pressure on Washington to reconsider its isolation policy.

Observers say al-Sheibani’s trip is unlikely to produce immediate breakthroughs. Still, it signals a potential thaw after a quarter century of hostility, offering a glimpse of cautious diplomacy at a time when the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape is rapidly shifting.(ILKHA)