Syrian President al-Sharaa meets US Congressman Mills in Damascus

Republican Congressmen Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman became the first U.S. lawmakers to visit Syria since the ouster of former leader Bashar Assad, meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and other officials in Damascus. Their visit, organized by a Syrian-American nonprofit, included discussions on U.S. sanctions, regional security, and opportunities for rebuilding and stabilizing Syria, as the new government seeks to open dialogue with Washington and Western allies. Mills and Stutzman also toured war-damaged areas and met with Christian religious leaders, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement and expressing concerns about Syria potentially aligning more closely with China, Russia, or Iran. The meetings reflect Syria's outreach to the West and calls for lifting sanctions, with Mills highlighting the potential to help rebuild the country and achieve regional stability. Stutzman defended the value of dialogue with leaders under sanctions, citing past U.S. diplomacy with adversarial nations. The visit signals a potential shift in U.S.-Syria relations as the new Syrian government pursues international legitimacy and support.