On Monday, President Trump took the significant step of signing an executive order aimed at lifting multiple sanctions imposed on Syria. This move is seen as a way to support the new authorities in Damascus who recently overthrew the long-standing regime of Bashar Assad.
The administration has announced that these sanctions will be lifted unconditionally. There’s a belief that by re-integrating Syria into the global financial landscape, it could push the new government, led by the U.S.-designated terrorist Ahmed Alshara, to fulfill various expectations. These include improving counter-terrorism efforts, strengthening Kurdish forces, respecting minority rights, and establishing relations with Israel.
“The president and the Secretary of State are not here to nation-build, nor are they demanding certain standards,” stated Tom Barrack, the ambassador from the Republic of Churkiye.
He went on to mention that the U.S. isn’t imposing an ideal democratic framework but rather offering an opportunity for the new government.
This decision has been positively received by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a non-governmental organization that has been involved in documenting war crimes in Syria throughout Assad’s reign. They expressed gratitude towards Barrack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Trump for what they view as a democratic chance for Syria.
“We proudly celebrate this monumental achievement and urge the new Syrian government to guarantee the safety and prosperity of all its citizens,” said Veronica Zanetta Brandonni.
The organization also emphasized that the administration’s actions continue to hold Assad accountable.
“We value the ongoing commitment to justice for crimes committed by both the Assad regime and ISIS. This means that Syrians will continue their efforts to gather evidence, uncover mass graves, and seek answers regarding the fates of over 100,000 missing individuals,” noted Stephen J. Rapp, a board member at the Global Criminal Justice and SETF.
During a speech in Riyadh on May 13, Trump criticized foreign interventions and neoconservatives, suggesting the lifting of sanctions was aimed at allowing Syria a chance for recovery.
Brad Smith from the Treasury Department mentioned that the U.S. retains the authority to reimpose sanctions if necessary, particularly if U.S. interests are jeopardized.
Current sanctions against Assad remain in place, targeting officials involved in human rights violations, corruption, and terrorism.
“While we hold hope for Syria’s future under the new government, we must acknowledge ongoing threats to peace,” Smith stated during a briefing.
A senior official emphasized that the Trump administration is not currently seeking to establish relations with Israel, nor is it using leverage over Syria to push for any agreements related to Abraham’s Accords.
In addressing the matter of the Golan Heights—territory seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War—officials referred to the borders of the Middle East as “illusory.”
Previously, Trump acknowledged Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights, a stance contested by many internationally. The status of this territory could play a pivotal role in potential peace negotiations between Israel and Syria.
An official remarked that all historical boundary lines drawn in previous decades are now mere “fantasies,” underscoring the need for trust between involved parties.
Trump’s executive order begins the process of reversing decades of sanctions against Syria, although the State Department didn’t comment on the specifics of these designations. Syria has been labeled a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979; nevertheless, the White House noted a review of this status is forthcoming.
The Secretary of State will also evaluate the designation of Haat Taril Al-Sham (HTS), the group responsible for overthrowing Assad, as a foreign terrorist organization.
However, the executive order fully revokes the 2004 national emergency declaration linked to Syria and cancels five executive orders that formed its basis.
Furthermore, the order outlines measures to facilitate international transactions and communications with Syrian state institutions.
Following the civil war’s outbreak in 2011, the U.S. imposed numerous sanctions in response to alleged war crimes by Assad’s regime.
As for Assad himself, he remains in exile in Russia, while the executive order maintains sanctions against him and others connected to ongoing instability and weapons of mass destruction proliferation.
