Trump’s Plans for Syria’s Status
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump expressed his intent to take Syria off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. This announcement came after his conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
When reporters inquired about the possibility of Syria’s removal, Trump responded, “He will. Why not? He’s done a great job.” He emphasized that Syria has become “very stable” under Shara’s leadership, noting his pride in this development.
Trump has also acknowledged that Syria “may support Hezbollah,” the Lebanese terrorist group backed by Iran, which has a history of attacking Israel from Lebanon and Syria.
Since their first meeting in November 2025 at the White House, Trump has praised Shara. This is somewhat surprising, considering Shara’s past affiliations with al-Qaeda and being imprisoned by U.S. forces in Iraq. Trump had described him as a “young, attractive guy” and a “tough guy” with “a very strong past.”
Shara previously led a coalition that overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, which unexpectedly concluded a lengthy and brutal civil war. Shara’s government seems keen on improving relations with the U.S. and Europe, showing little preference for Assad’s former allies, Russia, and Iran.
Looking ahead, there’s curiosity about what sanctions might be lifted under a June 2025 executive order regarding the Assad regime. While the repeal was unconditional, Congress has mandated periodic updates on counterterrorism and human rights progress in the Shara administration.
In November 2025, Syria was removed from the list of “Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” coinciding with its removal from a similar UN sanctions list.
As of now, Syria remains on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which only includes Cuba, North Korea, and Iran. Syria was initially added to this list in 1979 due to its support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, along with historical connections to violence, including the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to remove Syria from the SST list, arguing that since the fall of the Assad regime, Shara’s government has continually shown its commitment to counterterrorism in Syria.
The lawmakers’ letter stated, “Syria’s SST designation represents the most significant legal obstacle remaining to Syria’s reconstruction,” suggesting that removing this designation could lead to new opportunities for investment and development.
The letter had signatories such as Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Representative Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).
With the Assad regime gone, some argue that Syria no longer meets the stringent criteria for being on the SST list, even if various reforms progress slower than hoped.
However, there are advocates for keeping Syria on the list because its designation poses significant obstacles to trade and foreign aid. Critics have pointed out that tougher terms might be necessary for removing Syria’s designation and advocate for free elections to conclude Shara’s interim presidency.
Trump clearly supports removing Syria from the SST, but the State Department has approached this matter cautiously for over a year.
Representative Wilson highlighted that U.S. businesses are eager to invest in the new Syria, but the current designation presents a barrier.
He stated, “We’re not looking for a perfect government,” noting that destabilizing forces, including Iranian influences and extremists, may be attempting to prevent a secure and prosperous Syria.
Charles Lister from the Middle East Institute mentioned that it could be legally challenging to keep adding Syria to the SST, asserting that circumstances have changed.
He commented, “All the talk I’ve heard is that there’s finally a deal in the last couple of weeks. In true Trump fashion, he wants to announce it with… Shara.”
