Trump to sign order removing sanctions on Syria under new leadership

President Donald Trump made a bold move on Monday by signing an executive order to lift all sanctions on Syria. This decision comes as part of an effort to promote stability and peace in the country. The order will remove sanctions on Syria while keeping sanctions in place on specific targets such as former president Assad, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons involved in chemical weapons activities, ISIS and their affiliates, and Iranian proxies.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with its neighbors. This move marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Syria, especially considering the long-standing sanctions placed on the country dating back to 1979 when Syria was designated a state sponsor of terrorism.

Despite the lifting of some sanctions by executive order, others will still need to be lifted by Congress. However, the administration has not yet removed Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Trump recently met with Syria’s new interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a visit to the Middle East, signaling a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who leads the group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian militant organization with ties to al Qaeda, overthrew Assad in March. The remarkable turnaround of the Syrian leader, from having a $10 million bounty on his head to sitting down with the U.S. president, reflects the complex dynamics at play in the region.

Al-Sharaa has been actively seeking closer ties with the U.S., offering to build a Trump Tower in Damascus, normalize relations with Israel, and provide access to Syria’s oil and gas resources in exchange for sanctions relief. He has also worked to present a more inclusive and moderate image of HTS, promising a more inclusive governing structure.

The decision to lift sanctions comes at a time when Israeli and Syrian officials are reportedly engaged in talks on a potential security and normalization deal. The U.S. sanctions on Syria have had a significant impact, including financial penalties on individuals or companies supporting the Syrian government and restrictions on dealing with Syrian entities, including oil and gas. Syrian banks have also been isolated from the global financial system.

Overall, Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards the country. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and whether it will lead to lasting stability and peace in Syria and the region.