Paris Summit: Syria and Israel Restart U.S.-Led Security Talks

On January 5, 2026, high-level delegations from Syria and Israel convened in Paris to resume diplomatic negotiations mediated by the United States. These talks represent a critical attempt to stabilize the border following the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024.

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The Delegations

The negotiations are being held at a high-stakes level, involving senior intelligence and diplomatic figures:

• United States (Mediator): Led by Tom Barrack, U.S. envoy to Syria.
• Syria: Represented by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Intelligence Chief Hussein Salameh.
• Israel: Led by Yechiel Leiter (Ambassador to the U.S.), Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman (Mossad chief nominee), and Gil Reich (Acting National Security Council head).

Core Conflict & Negotiation Goals

The primary friction point is the buffer zone in Southern Syria. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, Israeli forces moved into territory previously designated as a U.N.-patrolled neutral zone to prevent a security vacuum.

Syria’s Position

The interim government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal. Their goal is to:

• Restore the 1974 Disengagement Agreement lines.
• Assert full sovereignty over Syrian territory.
• End Israeli airstrikes targeting “remnant” forces within their borders.

Israel’s Position

The Netanyahu administration remains cautious, citing “security red lines.” Their demands include:

• The establishment of a permanent demilitarized zone reaching toward Damascus.
• Guarantees that Iranian-backed groups or extremist militants will not occupy the border region.
• Protections for minority groups (Druze and Christian) in the southern provinces.

Geopolitical Context

This meeting follows direct pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently met with Prime Minister Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago to advocate for a swift regional settlement. While these talks are currently “exploratory,” they mark the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations in decades.

If successful, the Paris talks could transition from temporary security arrangements to a formal framework for long-term regional stability.