Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met in Istanbul with Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria and Iraq. The sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations, recent developments in the region, and priorities for Syria’s economic recovery. Particular attention was given to completing the process of lifting sanctions on the country and speeding up the reconstruction of its destroyed infrastructure.
This was not the politicians’ first meeting: in June, they also discussed the development of Syrian-US ties and efforts to stabilize the region. According to a World Bank assessment published in October 2025, rebuilding Syria after the destruction accumulated between 2011 and 2024 will require approximately $216 billion. This amount is about ten times the country’s GDP, underscoring the scale of the economic and infrastructure challenges facing Syria.
Full version: Meeting in Istanbul: Al-Shaibani discusses speeding up Syria’s reconstruction with Barrack