Barbara Leaf, the State Department’s top official for the Middle East, will travel to Damascus this week, marking a significant step in U.S. diplomatic engagement with Syria. According to Axios, this will be the first visit by a senior State Department official in years, signaling renewed relations with Syria’s transitional government after the fall of the Assad regime.

This diplomatic initiative follows a major shift in the Syrian conflict, where President Bashar Assad was ousted and granted asylum in Russia. The transitional government was brought to power by a coalition of opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed direct communications with HTS, acknowledging its role in the coalition that ended Assad’s rule.

Speaking at a news conference in Jordan on Sunday, Blinken emphasized the need for inclusivity in the transition process. “What is the international community, what are the neighbors looking for as this transition takes place in Syria? And we all agreed we want to see something that’s inclusive, that’s nonsectarian, that respects minorities, women, that deals with any chemical weapons that may be remaining in Syria, that doesn’t ally with ISIS or any of the terrorist groups that are there,” Blinken stated.

He underscored that cooperation with HTS and other groups is essential to achieving a stable and inclusive post-Assad government. The discussions also addressed critical issues, including the case of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria for 12 years. Establishing a framework for potential U.S. recognition of the new Syrian government was also on the agenda.

Leaf’s visit is part of a broader effort to reset U.S. policy toward Syria and engage with the various groups shaping the country’s future. The State Department’s willingness to communicate with HTS highlights the complexities of the conflict and the need for pragmatic diplomacy in the region.

This development reflects a significant change in the U.S. approach to Syria, balancing security concerns with the need to support a government that can ensure stability and counter remaining threats from extremist groups. As Syria enters a transitional phase, the international community will closely watch how these diplomatic efforts unfold and whether they lead to a lasting resolution for the war-torn nation.