President Donald Trump’s bold move to lift Syria sanctions could reshape the Middle East as he fulfills his campaign promise to promote regional stability, while maintaining targeted measures against terror groups and human rights abusers.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump signed an executive order ending many economic sanctions on Syria while maintaining restrictions on individuals involved in human rights abuses.
- The action aims to reintegrate Syria into the global financial system following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and establishment of a more pro-Western interim government.
- Major sanctions under the Caesar Act targeting Syria’s military and intelligence remain in place, though with temporary waivers.
- The administration is reviewing the terrorist designation of Syria and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led by Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
- The sanctions relief fulfills Trump’s May 2025 promise to al-Sharaa and aligns with his broader Middle East peace initiatives.
Trump Delivers on Promise to New Syrian Leadership
President Donald Trump has taken decisive action to normalize relations with Syria by signing an executive order that terminates numerous economic sanctions against the war-torn nation. The order lifts a national emergency originally declared by George W. Bush along with five related orders, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Syria following the country’s recent change in leadership. This strategic move comes after Trump met with Syria’s Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in May, where he pledged to ease sanctions to foster regional stability.
“This is another promise made and promise kept to promote peace and stability in the region,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The executive order aims to “promote and support the country’s path to stability and peace,” according to Leavitt, signaling the administration’s commitment to rebuilding Syria after its devastating civil war. U.S. relations with Syria have improved significantly since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, leading to the establishment of a new government under al-Sharaa, who is viewed as substantially more pro-Western than his predecessor.
Strategic Sanctions Relief While Maintaining Security
While the order removes broad economic sanctions, it strategically maintains restrictions on individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses or illegal activities. Former President Assad remains under sanctions, as do terrorist groups and manufacturers of Captagon, a highly addictive amphetamine-type stimulant produced in Syria. The Treasury Department has emphasized that the order will “end the country’s isolation from the international financial system, setting the stage for global commerce and galvanizing investments from its neighbors in the region, as well as from the United States,” said Brad Smith.
Major sanctions under the Caesar Act, which target Syria’s military and intelligence apparatus, technically remain in place but with temporary waivers. This balanced approach demonstrates Trump’s commitment to encouraging positive change while maintaining pressure on bad actors. The European Union has followed America’s lead, lifting nearly all of its remaining sanctions on Syria as well, creating a united Western approach to the nation’s reintegration.
Broader Middle East Strategy
The sanctions relief is part of Trump’s comprehensive approach to Middle East peace and stability. The administration is reportedly considering including Syria in the Abraham Accords, the historic peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations that Trump brokered during his first term. This potential inclusion would further cement his legacy as a peacemaker in a region long plagued by conflict and instability.
The State Department is currently reviewing Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, as well as the classification of HTS as a foreign terrorist organization. These reviews signal a willingness to reassess long-standing policies based on current realities rather than outdated assessments. The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Syria since 2014, primarily focused on combating the Islamic State, and this policy shift could potentially impact future military deployments in the region.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the positive steps toward normalization, concerns remain about the treatment of minorities under the new Syrian government. Critics have raised questions about HTS’s history and ideology, and whether the group has truly moderated its positions enough to warrant improved relations. The Trump administration appears to be taking a pragmatic approach, recognizing that engaging with the new leadership provides more leverage to influence positive outcomes than continued isolation.
The U.S. sanctions policy had been criticized by humanitarian organizations for its impact on civilian populations, and this relief should help address those concerns while maintaining pressure on individuals who have committed serious abuses. As Syria begins its reintegration into the international community, the coming months will prove critical in determining whether this diplomatic gambit yields the stability and peace that the region desperately needs after more than a decade of devastating civil war.
