Türkiye Steps into the Spotlight as Washington Meets with Syria’s New Leader
n a notable diplomatic development, Türkiye quietly engineered itself into a high-stakes Washington meeting on Monday, signaling Ankara’s increasing influence in the post-war recalibration of Syria.
Hakan Fidan, Türkiye’s foreign minister, joined a White House meeting between Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa — the first such bilateral U.S.–Syrian summit since Syria’s independence.
The Turkish delegation’s participation was described by Fidan as an “invitation” at a certain point in the meeting. AL-Monitor+1
He afterward told reporters that Türkiye conveyed its president’s “greetings and best wishes” to President Trump, and used the opportunity to present Ankara’s views on Syria’s reconstruction, unity and regional security. Hürriyet Daily News+1
What’s at stake
Ankara’s involvement appears deliberate: Türkiye has long watched the southern neighbour evolve. With al-Sharaa assuming leadership after the fall of the Assad regime last December, Türkiye has sought to shape the process in which Syria’s future is negotiated. AL-Monitor+1
Among key issues on the table (as acknowledged by all three capitals) were:
The status of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and how its fighters might be integrated into the Syrian military — a matter of acute concern to Ankara given its longstanding conflict with Kurdish forces. AL-Monitor
The future of U.S. sanctions on Syria under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which Türkiye views as an impediment to reconstruction and return of refugees. Hürriyet Daily News+1
A potential U.S.-backed security arrangement between Israel and Syria, and how Türkiye will position itself in such a framework. AL-Monitor+1
Why Türkiye’s presence matters
The surprise Washington visit (initially announced in a terse one-sentence statement by Ankara) underscores how Türkiye is striving not just to be a neighbour but a power broker in Syria. The low-key nature of the trip helped manage optics: by being invited into the Oval Office meeting instead of leading it, Türkiye could present itself as a mediator rather than a dominant actor. AL-Monitor
Still, Türkiye’s interests are clear and pointed: controlling the Kurdish question on its border, influencing reconstruction contracts, and ensuring the territorial integrity of Syria in a way that favours Ankara’s security doctrine. Hürriyet Daily News+1
What comes next
While the Washington meeting was historic, concrete outcomes remain tentative. Al-Sharaa’s presence at the White House and Türkiye’s involvement mark a shift, but the real test will lie in follow-through: how quickly the U.S., Türkiye and Syria can move on sanctions relief, SDF integration, reconstruction frameworks and regional security alignments.
Türkiye in particular will be watching for how much heft its diplomatic role translates into in practical terms — both in Syria’s political settlement and in Ankara’s prospective economic gains.