During the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) investment forum in Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The move would “give them a chance at greatness” and open Syria to foreign investments and reconstruction.
Key Highlights
- Event: GCC Investment Forum
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Announced by: U.S. President Donald Trump
- Policy Shift: End of comprehensive U.S. economic embargo on Syria
- Objective: Facilitate Syria’s economic reconstruction, attract investment, and encourage diplomatic normalization
Background on U.S. Sanctions on Syria
Sanctions Timeline:
- 1979: Syria designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism by U.S.
- 2003: Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act
- 2011: EO 13582 under Obama—Comprehensive embargo in response to Assad regime’s human rights violations
- 2012: Syria Human Rights Accountability Act
- 2019: Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act
Reason:
- Target Assad regime’s human rights abuses, including use of chemical weapons and suppression during the civil war.
Recent Political Change in Syria
- Fall of Assad Regime: December 2024
- New Leadership: Ahmed al-Sharaa (Interim President), former rebel leader
Group Affiliation:
- Ex-leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly tied to al-Qaeda
- Group officially dissolved in January 2025
U.S. Policy Reversal:
- Sharaa was previously on U.S. wanted list ($10 million bounty removed in Dec 2024)
- New govt expressed willingness for counterterrorism cooperation and minority rights protection
Why Is This a Major Shift?
From Isolation to Engagement:
- Ends 45+ years of sanctions and diplomatic isolation
- Re-engagement with Damascus long discouraged due to terrorism ties and civil war abuses
Geopolitical Implications:
- Move goes against Israel’s stance, which continues to distrust Sharaa
- UN welcomed the step as vital for humanitarian and reconstruction aid
Impacts of Sanctions Lifting
Economic Relief for Syria
Sanctions caused:
- Severe economic crisis
- Infrastructure breakdown
- High unemployment and power cuts
Lifting will allow:
- Humanitarian aid flow
- Reconstruction funding
- Entry of foreign investors and global trade
Strategic and Diplomatic Repercussions
- Likely step-by-step rollback of restrictions:
- Some sanctions (e.g., EO-based) may be lifted quickly
- Others (like Caesar Act) need congressional approval
- U.S. aligning more with UK and EU, which eased sanctions earlier in 2025
About Ahmed al-Sharaa (aka Abu Mohammed al-Jolani)
- Former jihadist, led al-Qaeda’s Syria branch (Nusra Front)
- Cut ties with al-Qaeda in 2016
- Spent 5 years in U.S. custody in Iraq
- Emerging as a moderate and internationally engaged leader
Challenges Ahead
- U.S. has not formally recognized al-Sharaa’s government
- Israeli opposition and residual suspicions remain
- Legal complexities due to:
- Existing U.S. legislation
- Ongoing UN sanctions
- Stringent export control regimes