A sweeping realignment over the future of northeast Syria appears to be unfolding. In a surprise visit to Istanbul, Syrian President al-Sharaa met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Signaling the gravity of the talks, senior defense and intelligence officials from both countries were in attendance.

This meeting is just the latest in a flurry of diplomatic activity over the past ten days, all pointing to an ambitious and coordinated effort to reach a comprehensive settlement on Syria’s northeast and the fate of the SDF:

• President Trump met with al-Sharaa in a high-level meeting also attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Erdoğan joining via teleconference. The meeting hinted at the emergence of a new Sunni alliance between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over Syria.
• Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, has been appointed as special envoy to Syria, a move that underscores Washington’s view that the Syria file is now deeply intertwined with Turkey. Notably, Barrack is no ordinary diplomat, as one of Trump’s closest confidants and oldest friends, near-unrestricted access to both Trump and Erdoğan, while maintaining extensive Gulf business networks. This arrangement suggests much of the negotiation may be brokered quietly and through personal channels, rather than formal institutions.
• Barrack is expected to travel to Damascus this week for direct talks with al-Sharaa.
• Just ten days after Trump’s announcement, the U.S. has already issued a major Syria sanctions relief package.
• The foreign ministers of Turkey, the United States, and Syria convened in Antalya, marking a significant trilateral engagement.
• Turkish and U.S. deputy foreign ministers held the inaugural session of the Turkey–U.S. Working Group on Syria.
• Turkey’s intelligence chief held direct talks with al-Sharaa in Damascus.
• A senior Turkish military general met with Syria’s defense minister.
• A joint delegation of Syrian government and U.S.-led coalition officials visited the al-Hol camp—one of the most complex and politically charged issues in the region—reportedly to begin resolving the status of the camp’s population.
• Multiple additional meetings between Turkish and Syrian officials have taken place in recent days.

Where the SDF fits into this rapidly evolving picture remains unclear. Yet what is evident is that a high-stakes bargain over northeast Syria—and the future of the SDF—is now in motion, with negotiations accelerating behind closed doors. A final settlement may be closer than it seems.