FDD
For the First Time in 25 Years, Syria Acknowledges Direct Talks With Israel
Ahmad Sharawi
August 21, 2025

Israel and Syria are talking — and for once, no one is denying it. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met with an Israeli delegation in Paris on August 19, the Syria’s official news agency announced. The unprecedented encounter between Shaibani and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer focused on “enhancing stability in the region.” This was actually the second meeting between Shaibani and Dermer, but the first did not appear in the official press. The meeting — and the official recognition of it — comes amid widespread anger toward Israel for bombing the Ministry of Defense in Damascus, and against the backdrop of growing chaos around the country. Israel has laid down red lines for the new government in Damascus: no military deployments south of Damascus, and protection for the Druze community in the country. READ MORE