Asaad al-Shaibani
Asaad al-Shaibani is the Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic under the post-Assad leadership of President Ahmad al-Sharaa. He has emerged as a central figure in Syria's rapid diplomatic pivot, engaging in direct, U.S.-mediated security talks with Israeli intelligence officials and securing the removal of Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Asaad al-Shaibani serves as the Foreign Minister of Syria, representing the transitional or new leadership that followed the era of Bashar al-Assad. His tenure has been defined by a swift and strategic realignment of Syrian foreign policy toward normalization with international powers and de-escalation with regional adversaries. In July 2026, al-Shaibani accompanied President Ahmad al-Sharaa on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Turkey. During this visit, the delegation reportedly secured a document signed by U.S. President Donald Trump initiating the removal of Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism—a designation Syria had held since 1979. This move signaled a historic shift in Washington's approach to Damascus, prioritizing stability and the containment of Iranian influence in the Levant.
Beyond formal diplomacy, al-Shaibani has played a critical role in establishing direct security channels with Israel. In August 2026, the Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed that al-Shaibani, alongside senior Syrian intelligence officials, met with Israeli intelligence counterparts in Jordan. These U.S.-mediated talks focused on establishing a permanent security negotiation channel, halting Israeli kinetic strikes within Syrian territory, and managing regional red lines. For Israel, al-Shaibani represents a primary address for ensuring that the new Syrian administration adheres to security arrangements that prevent the entrenchment of hostile proxies and maintain the stability of the northern border. His role is pivotal in the broader effort to transition Syria from a central node of the Iranian-led "Axis of Resistance" to a more independent regional actor.