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UPI
01-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
Trump signs EO ending most U.S. sanctions on Syria
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on May 14, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. File Photo by Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs/UPI | License Photo June 30 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday afternoon removing many U.S. sanctions levied against Syria, months after he promised the war-torn country's new leader that he would lift the "brutal and crippling" punitive measures. The United States has hit Syria with a slew of sanctions over the decades, especially targeting the former reign of dictator president Bashar al-Assad for his civil war and repression of his own people. The sanctions relief announced Monday removes punitive economic measures from Syria while maintaining those that apply to al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, individuals linked to chemical weapons activities and members of terrorist organizations and Iranian proxy militias. "President Trump is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified and at peace with itself and its neighbors," the White House said in a statement. The announcement follows Trump's meeting with his Syrian counterpart, transitional leader President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in mid-May in Riyadh, where the American president vowed to lift the sanctions. "The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important -- really, an important function -- nevertheless, at the time," Trump said. "But now, it's time to shine." He said he would lift the sanctions "to give them a chance at greatness." Following the meeting, the U.S. Treasury implemented a 180-day waiver on the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 sanctions, which imposed punitive measures on those related to the Syrian civil war -- a conflict that began in 2011 when al-Assad violently cracked down on pro-democracy protests. Al-Assad was ousted in December by jihadist-led rebels, and al-Sharaa was appointed president. "This is in an effort to promote and support the country's path to stability and peace," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday during a press briefing ahead of Trump's signing of the executive order. The State Department further explained in a statement that the sanctions to remain in place "are a tool to promote accountability for Assad, his cronies and others who seek to destabilize Syria or the region." The Syrian Emergency Task Force, a U.S.-based organization supporting the Syrian opposition, applauded Trump for removing the sanctions. "It is now the responsibility of the new Syrian government to ensure safety and security, the transition to democracy and economic prosperity for all Syrians," SETF's advocacy director, Veronica Zanetta-Brandoni, said in a statement.
Memri
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
After The U.S. Lifts Sanctions On Syria, The New Syrian Regime Navigates U.S. Demands That Endanger Its Future
On May 13, 2025, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would be "ordering the cessation of sanctions on Syria" that had been in effect since 1979, "in order to give them a chance at greatness."[1] The next day, May 14, Trump met in Riyadh with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in the first meeting of an American and Syrian president in 25 years, signifying the beginning of renewed diplomatic relations between the two countries. In accordance with Trump's announcement, on May 23 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about lifting the sanctions included in the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019,[2] for a 180-day waiver of mandatory sanctions of the act to allow "stability-driving investments and [to] advance Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts."[3] The same day, the U.S. Treasury Department issued immediate sanctions relief for Syria, and that it "also authorizes all transactions with the new Government of Syria, and with certain blocked persons"[4] – among them Al-Sharaa, who prior to seizing control of the country was known as Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani and headed Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), an organization designated terrorist by a number of countries.[5] The U.S. decision to lift the sanctions on Syria came about thanks largely to Saudi Arabia, as Trump himself stated in his announcement: "Oh, what I do for the [Saudi] Crown Prince [Mohammed bin Salman]."[6] Later, he said that he had decided on the move after talks with bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.[7] It should be noted that Trump had met with Al-Sharaa in the presence of bin Salman and with the online participation of Erdogan. Trump meets with Al-Sharaa in Riyadh (Source: May 14, 2025) Following the December 8, 2024 fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, along with Qatar, have worked towards getting the U.S. to lift its sanctions on Syria. This is on the grounds that their lifting will allow the country to rebuild – an enterprise in which all three will necessarily be involved, particularly Qatar and Turkey, which sponsored Al-Sharaa even before the removal of the Assad regime. The American move to lift the sanctions came as a surprise in the region, and even in the U.S. administration.[8] Since HTS's takeover of Syria, and despite the significant progress in Syria-U.S. relations, including with several direct Syria-U.S. meetings, it was thought that the American administration would proceed with caution vis-à-vis Syria, and would make decisions in accordance with the new regime's actions on the ground. This is particularly true in light of HTS's jihadi history under Al-Sharaa, and its U.S. designation as a terrorist organization until its recent disbandment.[9] In March 2025, the Trump administration gave Syria a document with eight demands, and American officials have reiterated, including in the days prior to Trump's announcement on lifting the sanctions, that any decision on lifting the sanctions and normalizing relations with Syria would be conditional on the fulfillment of these demands.[10] Furthermore, the Al-Sharaa government had already made considerable progress in tackling these demands prior to the announcement, and the sanctions were lifted before they were fully met.[11] It should be noted that in reports since March, and also in official U.S. statements, descriptions of the demands, and how many there are, vary, so it is not completely clear what is required of the Al-Sharaa government. One of the U.S.'s main demands is that Syria remove foreign jihad fighters from senior positions in the Syrian army, and even expel them from the country. To date, however, the Syrian government has been dragging its feet on this issue, and has already appointed some of them to command positions in the army – although, according to a number of reports, it has agreed to freeze such new appointments. At the same time, in an attempt to calm fears in both the region and in the West about these fighters, the Al-Sharaa government has announced several times that they will not pose any threat to any other country, and Syria is at the same time examining the solution of giving them Syrian citizenship. Another American demand, that can be considered only a recommendation, is strengthening relations with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords. Against this backdrop, it was reported that a round of direct and indirect Syria-Israel talks was held recently. The U.S. is trying to present Syrian openness to peace with Israel, but the Al-Sharaa government is downplaying the issue and it appears that at this stage it will act to quiet tensions vis-à-vis Israel but without normalizing relations with it. Billboard in Syria expressing thanks to President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for lifting the sanctions ( May 14, 2025) This report will review the conditions set by the U.S. for Syria in exchange for lifting the sanctions, the attempt to advance a Syria-Israel calm, and the difficulties encountered by the Syrian regime in meeting the U.S. demands to remove foreign jihad fighters affiliated with it from senior positions and to expel them from the country. The Lack Of Clarity vis-à-vis The Conditions Set By The U.S. For Lifting The Sanctions On Syria President Trump's announcement of the lifting of the sanctions on Syria contradicted previous American announcements and moves[12] that reflected a cautious approach to the Al-Sharaa government and the conditioning of the advancement of this relationship, including the lifting of sanctions, on the execution of confidence-building measures. At the March 17, 2025 Brussels IX Conference on "Standing With Syria: Meeting The Needs For A Successful Transition," with key regional and international partners together with the Syrian Arab Republic,[13] the U.S. gave the Syrian government eight demands to be met, in exchange for which the U.S. could ease the sanctions on Syria. The demands as published by the Saudi magazine Al-Majala[14] indicate that the Al-Sharaa government had already begun to move ahead on most of them, as part of its attempts to get the sanctions removed. There were even reports about American satisfaction with Syria's handling of the following demands: Allowing access to all Syrian chemical weapons sites and plans Assuming responsibility for detention centers holding ISIS prisoners and camps in which their families are held in northeast Syria, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, comprising largely Kurds supported by the U.S. Cooperating with the international coalition against ISIS led by the U.S. Assisting the USA "in locating and returning USA citizens or their remains. The families of Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz, and Kayla Mueller must have closure."[15] Another U.S. demand met by the Al-Sharaa government was a ban on the activity of Palestinian factions in the country, and expulsion of their members. The Syrian government took steps against the Palestinian factions that were loyal to the Assad regime, including arresting their operatives, taking over their commands, and banning them from conducting military activity but not humanitarian activity.[16] Against this backdrop, it was reported that most of the leaders of these factions had left Syria.[17] With regard to the demand to prevent Iran from situating itself in Syria and to classify its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Hizbullah as terror organizations, the Al-Sharaa government declared several times that Iran and Hizbullah have no remaining presence in Syria[18] and that it has no objections in principle to designating them both as terror organizations. The two remaining demands are more problematic for the Syrian government. The first is allowing the U.S. to carry out attacks in Syria against any element that it considers a threat to U.S. national security; however, this is a matter of violation of Syrian sovereignty. The Al-Sharaa government noted that there is a need to arrive at mutual understandings on this.[19] The second is to refrain from appointing foreign fighters to senior command roles, and, according to some reports, also to expel them from the country.[20] This is complicated for the Al-Sharaa government, which owes these fighters a debt of gratitude for the help they gave it in its war against the Assad regime. It should be emphasized that Trump's announcement of a "cessation" of the sanctions, and its aftermath, is notable for the lack of uniformity in announcements by American elements regarding the content and number of the administration's' demands.[21] The easing of the sanctions prior to the Al-Sharaa government's meeting of the demands also raised the question of whether the American "demands" had been downgraded to "recommendations." This was reflected in White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt's statement that in his meeting with Al-Shara, President Trump had "urged" Al-Sharaa to carry out some actions, but had not "demanded" this.[22] Likewise, Michael "Mitch" Mitchell, the Dubai Hub Deputy Director and Arabic Language Spokesperson Office of International Media Engagement in the State Department's Office of International Media Engagement, told Al-Hurrah on May 16 that the U.S. had received no guarantees from the Al-Sharaa government that it would meet these demands, and that the U.S. had not even requested such a guarantee.[23] In an appearance on May 19 on the Syrian Al-Ikhbaria TV channel, which is affiliated with the Al-Sharaa government, he only spoke about the U.S.'s "preferences" in Syria.[24] At the same time, this does not appear to mean that the U.S. has withdrawn its demands. This was also the assessment of many Syrian writers. Thus, Syrian writer Ali Qassem stated, "The decision [to lift the sanctions] was not just a prize for Syria, but an agreement that is conditional upon demands."[25] Likewise, Syrian writer Rateb Sh'abu wrote, "We will pay the price for [the lifting of the sanctions], since in the political world no one hands out gifts, charity, or profits for free to others."[26] Ahmed Mazher Saado, who writes for a Syrian newspaper, even assessed that "Uncle Sam may continue to send more American, and necessarily also Israeli, demands and conditions, so that the path and the steps to lift the sanctions will remain valid and will be carried out without legal or political disruption."[27] Syrians celebrate the lifting of the sanctions: "Thank you Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey" (Source: May 13, 2025) Syrian President Al-Sharaa: Indirect Contacts With Israel, Reports Of Direct Israel-Syria Meetings Amid the lack of clarity regarding the content and number of the demands the U.S. submitted to the Syrian government, one U.S. demand – or condition – stands out as particularly unclear: strengthening Syria's relations with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords for normalizing relations with it, under U.S. auspices. President Trump himself noted, "I told him [Al-Sharaa], 'I hope you're going to join when it's straightened out.' He said, 'Yes.'" Trump added, however, "But they have a lot of work to do [yet]."[28] The relationship with Israel is a sensitive issue for the new Syrian regime. As Al-Sharaa seized power in Syria, Israel expanded its attacks inside the country and destroyed most of the Syrian army's military infrastructure. Its forces also took control of the buffer zone in southern Syria and began to expand it, and Israel also announced that it would protect the Syrian Druze from the Al-Sharaa government. This move was seen in Syria as an attempt to divide the country.[29] Nevertheless, with the U.S.'s encouragement, there have been reports of indirect and even direct contacts between the two sides. It was reported that indirect Syria-Israel talks on security and intelligence affairs, with UAE mediation, began following Al-Sharaa's April 13, 2025 UAE visit.[30] The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on direct Syria-Israel contacts, with a Syrian delegation visiting Israel in late April.[31] In addition, there were reports of Syria-Israel talks in Azerbaijan and Jordan, as well as direct security meetings between the sides in the border area between the two countries, including in territory under Israeli control.[32] During his May 7 visit to France, Al-Sharaa confirmed that "indirect negotiations are underway [with Israel] via mediators in order to calm the situation and prevent a slide into loss of control among the sides."[33] In this context, there was a noticeable gap between the U.S.'s optimistic depiction of Syria-Israel relations and how they were downplayed by the Al-Sharaa government. One striking example of this was the diverse coverage of statements by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio on May 15, following his Turkey meeting with his Turkish and Syrian counterparts. On its website, the U.S. State Department said that Rubio had "welcomed the Syrian government's calls for peace with Israel,"[34] and said that the Syrians had "expressed an interest in being at peace with all of their neighbors, including Israel."[35] In contrast, the official Syrian news agency SANA quoted Rubio as saying that "the Syrian government wants peace with all its neighbors" but did not mention Israel by name.[36] Furthermore, in her May 14 post on X following President Trump's meeting with Al-Sharaa, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt had written that Trump had "urged" Al-Sharaa to "sign onto the Abraham Accords with Israel" and that "President Al-Sharaa affirmed his commitment to the 1974 disengagement with Israel."[37] However, the Syrian Foreign Ministry's announcement of the meeting did not mention relations with Israel at all.[38] In its commentary, the UAE daily Al-Arab clarified that should Al-Sharaa accept Trump's offer to join the Abraham Accords, he would receive American recognition and a full lifting of the sanctions on Syria. At the same time, however, he would risk losing his legitimacy among a large part of the Syrian public, especially among the Syrian forces, who see Israel as an enemy and normalization with it as a betrayal. According to the daily's assessment, Al-Sharaa will choose a middle path of not explicitly rejecting Trump's proposal but also not fully accepting it.[39] Trump's support for Al-Sharaa also impacted Israel, which cut back on its attacks in Syria in May and softened its tone vis-à-vis the Syrian government. As part of this, on May 23 a senior Israeli official told Al-Arabiya TV that Syria was an important country and that its joining the Abraham Accords would change the situation in the region. He added that meetings between Israeli and Syrian government representatives under Turkey's auspices were positive and that the Syrian government had made gestures towards Israel which would be responding in kind.[40] These meetings appear to have taken place in Azerbaijan. The U.S. frees Syria from the sanctions (Source:Al-Quds Al-Arabi, London, May 16, 2025 ) Demand To Expel Foreign Jihad Fighters From Syria; Al-Sharaa: They Will Not Threaten Any Country The presence in Syria of jihadi HTS foreign fighters greatly concerns the U.S. and the West in general, as well as the Arab countries. In Syria too there is concern, because of the threat they pose to the country's stability[41] and the possibility that they will use Syria as a base for jihadi operations against other countries, especially since some of them are wanted in their home countries. There are no official figures on these fighters, but estimates indicate that they number several thousand. Many are Uyghurs and Chechens, along with Jordanians, Egyptians, Tunisians, Arabs from the Gulf states, Europeans, and others.[42] The U.S.'s demand regarding these fighters poses a complicated challenge for the Al-Sharaa government, since it esteems the fighters for joining HTS during the years of war in Syria and for their assistance to the group in the campaign that brought down the Assad regime. In late December 2024, the Syrian government even promoted six of them as officers and appointed several to other senior military positions.[43] The Syrians appear to be approaching this issue by moving slowly on it. In its response to the U.S. on the matter of dealing with the eight American demands, the Syrians said that the foreign fighters issue "requires a broader consultative session."[44] Although they announced that promoting more foreign officers had been suspended, after six were previously promoted, they did not say whether the six had been demoted nor what, if any, steps would be taken in this regard.[45] In April 2025, Al-Sharaa told The New York Times that his government would consider giving Syrian citizenship for foreign fighters who had lived in Syria for many years and "who have stuck beside the revolution."[46] In an attempt to calm fears regarding these fighters, Al-Sharaa stressed on several occasions that they would not be allowed to use Syrian territory to threaten other countries. For example, at a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron during his May 7 Paris visit, Al-Sharaa clarified: "We have emphasized to all the countries in the world that these fighters are committed to Syrian law and will pose no threat to any country."[47] Beyond that, there is not much information about the Syrian government's handling of the issue of foreign fighters. According to the UAE daily Al-Arab, the Al-Shara government has frozen the activity of important military commanders who are foreign, and it is expected that eventually, when the time is right, the foreign fighters will be sent back to their home countries.[48] The Qatari daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that the Syrian government has asked several foreign fighters not to appear on social media in military uniform or to say that they are soldiers in the Syrian army.[49] Official U.S. statements that followed President Trump's decision to lift sanctions show some indication of Syrian progress in handling this matter, although what exactly is being done is not known for sure. Although Syrian Foreign Minister As'ad Al-Shibani met with senior U.S. officials in New York on April 29, and it was reported that he was told by the U.S. that Syria's measures on the issue of foreign fighters were insufficient.[50] U.S. Secretary of State Rubio struck a more positive tone when he said during his visit to Turkey on May 15 that the Syrian government "has expressed interest in driving out foreign fighters and terrorists."[51] In addition, Trump's special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack, after meeting with Al-Sharaa, commended, on May 24, the Syrian president's steps taken regarding foreign fighters.[52] On June 2, Reuters reported that the Al-Sharaa government intended to integrate 3,500 foreign fighters into the Syrian army, and Barrack confirmed that there were understandings with the U.S. on this matter.[53] * O. Peri is a Research Fellow at MEMRI.
UPI
24-05-2025
- Business
- UPI
Treasury, State Department ending Syrian sanctions to speed recovery
1 of 4 | President Donald Trump's administration is lifting sanctions on war-torn Syria, with the goal of speeding recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country. File Photo by Ahmed Ahmed/UPI | License Photo May 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's administration is lifting sanctions on war-torn Syria, with the goal of speeding recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country. The move will pave the way for "new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President's America First strategy," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement this week. Trump earlier this month met with Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa where he promised he would lift "crippling" U.S. sanctions. "I have issued a 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions to ensure sanctions do not impede the ability of our partners to make stability-driving investments, and advance Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts," Rubio said in the statement. "These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria." During his first term in the Oval Office in 2020, Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria and its then-President Bashar al-Assad. The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 had a major impact on Syria's economy, particularly its financial and construction sectors. Trump at the time said sanctions were targeting entities and individuals that were "actively supporting the murderous and barbaric Assad regime." Assad was ousted from power last December, fleeing to Russia. It ended a five-decade run of Assad family rule in Syria. In addition to lifting sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued Syria General License 25, allowing people previously blocked from conducting business with Syrian entities to do so under the new al-Sharaa government. "The GL will allow for new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President's America First strategy. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is providing exceptive relief to permit U.S. financial institutions to maintain correspondent accounts for the Commercial Bank of Syria," Rubio said in the statement. "Today's actions represent the first step in delivering on the President's vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States," Rubio said. "President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria's relations with its neighbors. The President has made clear his expectation that relief will be followed by prompt action by the Syrian government on important policy priorities." The American directive comes just days after the European Union made a similar move. EU officials on Tuesday lifted its sanctions on Syria with the same goal of helping economic recovery. "We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said at the time.
Arabian Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Trump's Middle East Tour Sparks Diplomatic and Economic Shifts
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to lift longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria, in place since 1979 and intensified during the Syrian Civil War. During his Middle East tour, Trump revealed the decision at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, describing the sanctions as historically significant yet now detrimental. The sanctions had frozen Syrian assets, banned petroleum imports, and isolated the country from the global economy. Critics highlight that repealing the sanctions, especially those under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, will require Congressional approval. The initiative is seen as a diplomatic boost for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda affiliate leader who rose to power after leading a coalition against Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Trump's move has drawn regional and international attention, with suggestions it could undermine Iran's influence in Syria and potentially shift Russian oil dynamics. Trump urged al-Sharaa to normalize ties with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords and ensure Syria's cooperation in combating ISIS and foreign terrorism. While experts stress the complexity and gradual nature of the sanctions' removal, the decision marks a potential turning point for Syria's reintegration into the global economy and geopolitics. During his visit to the Gulf, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major policy shift by lifting long-standing sanctions on Syria, a country devastated by over a decade of civil war. The decision, made at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marks a significant change in U.S. foreign policy. Trump also secured a historic $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia, including an arms deal worth $142 billion, dubbed the largest U.S. defense agreement ever. The deal spans multiple sectors such as defense, energy, and infrastructure, and may eventually reach $1 trillion. Trump's visit emphasized economic cooperation with Gulf nations, including stops in Qatar and the UAE, and was attended by major U.S. business leaders. While he did not visit Israel, Trump urged Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with the Jewish state. He also expressed willingness to negotiate a new deal with Iran but warned of heightened pressure if Tehran does not change its stance. Notably, Trump avoided addressing the Khashoggi murder controversy, praising bin Salman instead. The trip reflects Trump's goal of reinforcing regional alliances against Iran and fostering economic partnerships. During a high-profile diplomatic mission to Riyadh, President Trump endeavored to address four major global crises simultaneously. With $1 trillion in foreign investment as a key motivator, Trump employed a fast-paced and personalized approach to diplomacy, positioning himself as a bold alternative to traditional U.S. foreign policy strategies. In his keynote speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, he articulated a vision for conflict resolution and partnership-building. Key developments included lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria post-Assad regime, marking an attempt to offer the new Syrian government an opportunity for revival. In a surprise breakthrough, Trump's envoy secured the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity. Trump also advocated for direct Russia-Ukraine talks and expressed readiness to join leaders in Turkey. Additionally, after nuclear negotiations in Oman, he issued an ultimatum to Iran to accept a new nuclear deal or face renewed pressure. Despite these ambitious efforts, tangible results have yet to materialize, highlighting the gap between Trump's high confidence in his dealmaking skills and real-world outcomes. His approach reflects a rejection of both interventionist and internationalist doctrines in favor of transactional, 'America First' diplomacy. On Thursday, the foreign ministers of Turkey, the U.S., and Syria will convene in Antalya, Turkey, to discuss the implementation details of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria. This decision, announced at the behest of Saudi Arabia's crown prince and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy. The move supports efforts by new allied leadership in Syria, including Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad and the end of a 14-year civil war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the historic significance of this policy change, stating it would foster financial investment and infrastructure development in war-torn Syria. The meeting will include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, focusing on finalizing the framework established by their leaders. The lifting of sanctions is expected to reconnect Syria with the global financial system, enhance humanitarian efforts, and stimulate foreign investment and trade. However, Fidan noted that formal congressional and administrative processes in the U.S. still need to be addressed to effectuate the full removal of sanctions. On May 14, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary, defended significant staff cuts and budget reductions to the Department of Health and Human Services, including an $18 billion reduction to NIH and $3.6 billion from the CDC, as part of the Trump administration's budget plan. These moves were met with protests, particularly from AIDS activists, and legal challenges from major labor unions. Kennedy reversed some layoffs at NIOSH but faced criticism for gutting programs related to HIV prevention and health research. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives advanced Trump's sweeping budget package that includes Medicaid cuts, stricter SNAP work requirements, and a large tax cut favoring higher earners. The bill has drawn heavy criticism for excluding low-income families from child tax credits and for attempts to block AI regulation at the state level. Internationally, Trump's Middle East visit stirred controversy due to his intention to accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar and a surprise decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria after meeting its president. Harvard pledged $250 million to support research after federal funding freezes. Further concern arose over civil rights staff resignations at the DOJ and GOP plans to restrict nonprofit tax-exempt status based on political alignment. During a significant visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $142 billion arms deal with the nation and delivered a major speech at a U.S.-Saudi investment summit. In his remarks, Trump criticized Western intervention in the Middle East and praised Saudi Arabia for its progress, calling it 'a modern miracle the Arabian way.' He also revealed plans to lift broad sanctions on Syria, indicating a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward offering the country a pathway to recovery. Additionally, in a move set to impact global economic dynamics profoundly, the United States and China reached a resolution in their prolonged trade war, which had previously disrupted markets and supply chains worldwide. As a unique gesture of hospitality, Saudi Arabia provided a mobile McDonald's truck for Trump during the state visit. The developments suggest a strategic and economic realignment in U.S. international relations. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman held a phone call with new US President Donald Trump. Prince Mohammed, de facto leader of the world's biggest oil exporter, made the pledge in a phone call following Trump's inauguration on Monday, Saudi state media said. Trump forged close relations with Riyadh in his first term and is now expected to push Saudi Arabia, home of Islam's holiest sites, towards normalising ties with Israel as a major foreign policy objective. 'The crown prince affirmed the kingdom's intention to broaden its investments and trade with the United States over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that,' the Saudi Press Agency reported. It did not give details of the source of the funds, which represent more than half of Saudi GDP, or how they are expected to be used. Prince Mohammed, 39, also passed on congratulations from his father, King Salman, during the call. The White House said it was Trump's first phone call with a foreign leader since his return to office. 'The two leaders discussed efforts to bring stability to the Middle East, bolster regional security, and combat terrorism,' a statement said. 'Additionally, they discussed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's international economic ambitions over the next four years as well as trade and other opportunities to increase the mutual prosperity.' Trump's first visit as president in 2017 was to Saudi Arabia, and this week he joked that a major financial commitment could persuade him to do the same again. 'I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our product,' he said. Trump quipped he would repeat the visit 'if Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another 450 or 500 — we'll up it for all the inflation'. During Trump's first term, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco broke with longstanding Arab policy to recognise Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords. The new Trump administration is expected to try to repeat the process with Saudi Arabia, following similar efforts under president Joe Biden. Saudi Arabia broke off talks with US officials about ties with Israel early in the Gaza war, and has repeatedly insisted it will not recognise Israel without the existence of a Palestinian state.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - The US and Syria: Between strategic success and unfinished business
Washington is facing a moment of rare strategic clarity in Syria, a country long synonymous with unending war and geopolitical entanglement. A fragile interim government in Syria is struggling for stabilization. The dilemma for the U.S. is how to choose its level of engagement there without engaging in new conflicts or letting adversarial forces gain ground. This becomes particularly important for the Trump administration, as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a transitional government on March 30, appointing a diverse 23-member Cabinet — an illustration of his growing grip on power. Although past policy has oscillated between intervention and disengagement, the current situation requires a balanced approach between pragmatic diplomacy and enforcing critical red lines. The decisions Washington makes during this period will shape whether Syria develops into a functional state or backslides into instability. Strategically, the U.S. has achieved major successes in the region. The military presence of Iran has been substantially debilitated. Hezbollah's weapon supply chains have been interrupted and Russia's control over Syrian politics has diminished. The longstanding 'ring of fire' which threatened Israel due to Iranian-backed militias no longer presents an urgent danger. These successes, however, do not translate to an automatic U.S. exit from Syria's affairs. A hasty U.S. withdrawal, combined with rigid policy approaches, would create fertile conditions for its adversaries to regain power in the resulting vacuum. The situation demands careful consideration, because Syria will fall back into disorder from insufficient engagement, yet deep intervention could inversely disrupt the current political equilibrium. The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 remains the subject of extensive discussion in Washington regarding its potential lifting. The sanctions imposed to condemn Bashar al-Assad 's crimes have been unintentionally blocking Syria's economic revival since the war ended. The U.S. should maintain its human rights enforcement yet Washington should adopt a dynamic approach by offering economic incentives for specific reforms to support Syria's new government in establishing stability. The U.S. policy must rest primarily on diplomatic relations. Washington has demonstrated its willingness to adjust policies through limited sanctions relief in January and it facilitated essential agreements between the interim government and Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. These efforts should be expanded. The good thing is that there has been some positive development in this regard. As per credible media reports, the U.S. has presented Syria with a set of conditions for partial sanctions relief, including a firm demand that no foreign nationals hold senior positions in the government. Natasha Franceschi, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for the Levant and Syria, personally conveyed these terms to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during a sideline meeting at the Syria donor conference in Brussels on March 18. This marks the first high-level direct engagement between Washington and Damascus since President Donald Trump assumed office on Jan. 20, underscoring a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Syria. The U.S. should maintain direct contact with Syrian leadership to influence its post-conflict decisions toward protecting minority populations and security sector transformation and economic growth. Engaging does not mean endorsing — it means having a seat at the table. Ignoring Syria's new leadership outright by the international community would allow regional powers to dictate the country's future on their own terms. The transition government must protect Syria from becoming a haven for war criminals while implementing transitional justice processes and achieving credible judicial outcomes for recent events including the Latakia massacres. The credibility of Syria's interim government will rapidly decline both domestically and internationally if it does not demonstrate authentic dedication to these principles. The U.S. also faces a difficult decision regarding whether or not to engage with the rebel faction that led the successful overthrow of the Assad regime. Designated as a terrorist organization because of its al-Qaeda ties, it now operates as the governing force across extensive Syrian territories under al-Sharaa's leadership. There is also a geopolitical dimension to Syria's reintegration. Some analysts argue that Damascus should pursue normalization with Israel under the framework of the Abraham Accords, a move that could accelerate its economic recovery and diplomatic legitimacy. But this depends upon the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The continuing war between Israel and Palestinians may make such a scenario untenable. The path out of permanent economic isolation will require Syria to develop connections with countries that extend beyond its traditional allies Russia and Iran. The U.S. should explore creative diplomatic incentives that encourage Syria's integration into a broader Middle Eastern framework — whether through economic partnerships, counterterrorism cooperation or regional security arrangements. Acting with this in mind, the U.S. must secure its current successes in Syria while stopping the country from descending into a failed state. The U.S. must avoid the worst-case situation where Syria limps on a fragmented territory lacking effective government while being controlled by foreign interests. It must also reject the false choice between full recognition of Syria's interim government and complete disengagement. The U.S. must engage selectively, applying pressure where necessary and offering incentives where useful. Washington has consistently operated with a reactive Middle Eastern policy that focuses on crisis response instead of proactive event formation. In Syria, the U.S. has an opportunity to transform its past reactive approach to balanced one, combining diplomatic relations with conditional economic aid and defined governance standards provides. Imran Khalid is a physician and has a master's degree in international relations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
