A significant Syria policy shift emerged as revelations surfaced that Jordan’s King Abdullah II cautioned the United States against considering the assassination of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prior to his meeting with Donald Trump. The disclosure came during a Senate hearing where concerns about hardline approaches within the Trump administration were raised.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen revealed during a foreign relations committee session that she had heard disturbing discussions within certain administration circles about potentially eliminating Syria’s new leader. “There were suggestions in some foreign policy groups that assassination could be an option regarding President Sharaa,” Shaheen stated, noting that Jordan’s monarch had specifically warned against such actions.
King Abdullah reportedly emphasized that forcibly removing Sharaa could plunge Syria back into full-scale civil war, undermining opportunities for stability. These warnings appear to have preceded Trump’s unexpected decision to lift all longstanding US sanctions on Syria and his subsequent meeting with Sharaa in Riyadh.
The Syria policy shift became evident when Trump, after his Riyadh meeting, praised Sharaa as a “strong leader with a fighter’s background,” despite Sharaa’s controversial past as a former insurgent commander with ties to extremist groups. This dramatic turnaround surprised many in Washington, where some officials had been preparing to maintain pressure on Damascus.
At the confirmation hearing for Joel Rayburn, Trump’s nominee for top Middle East diplomat, Shaheen pressed for clarity on the assassination rumors. Rayburn denied knowledge of such plans, aligning his response with Trump’s recent conciliatory approach. “That doesn’t reflect the president’s current position,” Rayburn asserted, referencing Trump’s positive comments about Sharaa.
Behind the scenes, the Syria policy shift has caused divisions within the administration. While some State Department officials felt sidelined by the sudden sanctions relief, hardline NSC members reportedly sought to slow-walk implementation to extract concessions. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy voiced concerns about potential efforts to undermine Trump’s decision.
The policy reversal carries significant regional implications. Sharaa, whose government has been moving closer to Gulf states, may now see his “global terrorist” designation removed following Trump’s order. The development also impacts ongoing mediation efforts, including UAE-brokered talks between Syria and Israel.
When questioned about potential normalization with Israel under the Abraham Accords, a Syrian official responded cryptically: “Peace with everyone, without exception.” This Syria policy shift marks a dramatic turn from years of US hostility toward Damascus, with Trump crediting Turkish and Saudi leaders for encouraging his outreach to Sharaa.
As the administration navigates this unexpected Syria policy shift, questions remain about how the US will address Syria’s ties to militant groups and whether Sharaa will fulfill Trump’s requests regarding foreign fighters and counterterrorism cooperation. The Jordanian king’s intervention highlights how regional allies are attempting to steer US policy away from destabilizing actions in the volatile Middle East.
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