The meeting, announced by Jordan’s foreign ministry on Sunday, will bring together Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and U.S. envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack in Amman. The talks mark one of the first direct diplomatic engagements between Washington and Damascus since Assad’s removal in December after more than a decade of civil conflict.

“Jordan is committed to facilitating dialogue that promotes stability and reconstruction in the region,” the ministry said in a statement, emphasizing Amman’s role as a neutral mediator.

The talks come just days after Syria signed a series of major infrastructure and development agreements. On Wednesday, Damascus finalized 12 deals worth a combined $14 billion, including a $4 billion agreement with Qatar’s UCC Holding to construct a new international airport, and a $2 billion deal with the United Arab Emirates’ National Investment Corporation to develop a subway system in the capital.

The investment surge signals renewed interest in Syria’s reconstruction among regional powers, particularly Gulf states, amid a fragile transition and hopes for economic revitalization.

While the U.S. has historically imposed heavy sanctions on Syria under Assad’s regime, sources familiar with the upcoming meeting say the Trump administration is open to reviewing certain restrictions in exchange for verifiable political and humanitarian reforms.

Syria’s civil war, which erupted in 2011, left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. Assad’s regime remained in power until an Islamist-led coalition took control of Damascus in December 2024, following years of internal dissent and external pressure.

Conclusion:

Tuesday’s meeting in Amman could mark a turning point in Syria’s international re-engagement and the beginning of a complex, diplomatically sensitive effort to rebuild a shattered nation.

Greeted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the capital’s royal airport, Trump’s arrival signals the start of a strategically significant tour through the Gulf region. The trip will also include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. president is expected to headline a U.S.-Saudi investment forum later today, where high-profile business leaders including tech magnate Elon Musk are also scheduled to speak. The forum is anticipated to serve as a platform for deepening economic and defense cooperation between the two nations.

$1.4 Billion Weapons Deal with UAE

In a major policy move ahead of Trump’s arrival, the U.S. announced a $1.4 billion weapons sale to the United Arab Emirates. The package includes advanced defense systems and is part of a broader push to solidify defense and security partnerships in the Gulf.

During the tour, Trump is expected to unveil a series of agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE involving investments in artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, manufacturing, and energy. A large-scale arms deal with Saudi Arabia may also be on the horizon.

Trump’s Middle East visit is being closely watched as a test of his foreign policy influence and economic diplomacy in a region reshaped by shifting alliances, post-war reconstruction, and emerging tech rivalries.