Last Wednesday, President Trump met with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, despite al-Sharaa’s former associations with jihadist terror groups. This meeting has been described as a huge, “historic” step in bettering relations between the Syria and the United States. The Saudi Crown Prince facilitated this meeting – the first between a Syrian and an American president in 25 years – garnering praise from President Trump. President Trump asked for all economic sanctions on Syria to be removed during a Saudi investment forum on May 13th, a decision also recently made by the European Union.

President al-Sharaa has previously been accused of coordinating suicide bombings across Syria during his time as head of the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, the Al-Nusra Front, and was placed on the U.S. Specially Designated Global Terror List in 2013. Until recently, he also had a $10 million bounty for his arrest. Despite encouragement for cooperation between the countries from many American leaders, Sebastian Gorka of the White House Security Council, who focuses on counterterrorism, along with Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, Joel Rayburn, have both spoken out against cooperation with al-Sharaa specifically due to his proximity with terrorist groups and activities.

Over the last 40 years, there has been little to no cooperation between the United States and Syria, largely due to Syrian unrest and its support for Islamist military groups. During the Syrian Civil War, the United States condemned the Assad regime but overall did little to intervene or help the citizens of Syria, beyond large economic sanctions which crippled the economy and further hurt civilians.

While this meeting is a large step in strengthening relations between the United States and Syria and is promising in terms of long-term peace efforts, it is still important for President Trump to tread lightly. The world still does not know what this interim Syrian government will prioritize, nor if it will remain stable. While President Trump and the United States should recognize and work with the government, as they are currently doing, they must also assist in maintaining peace for Syrian civilians, ensuring that their rights are protected and that the government continues on a path towards democracy. Removing sanctions so that Syria’s economy can grow and be reintegrated into the world’s economy is a great first step in reestablishing a diplomatic relationship, and will help ensure stability in the country.