Jayna Raff

President Ahmad al-Shara will be the first Syrian head of state at the White House in almost 80 years.

But it's also a big deal because of Shara's own history.

He's a former al-Qaeda in Iraq militant leader.

A year ago, he had a $10 million U.S.

bounty on his head.

His fighters toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad last December.

And since then, Trump has decided that Shara is someone he wants to deal with.

Most sanctions on Shara and Syria have been removed, but there are still some to be lifted.

Trump is expected to invite Syria to join U.S.-led efforts fighting the militant group ISIS.

Jayna Raff, NPR News, Amman.