In a dramatic policy change, ex-US President Donald Trump declared Tuesday that he would remove all sanctions on Syria after talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The action precedes Trump’s scheduled meeting on Wednesday with Syria’s new Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who took power after the removal of Bashar al-Assad.
In a speech at an investment conference in Riyadh, Trump stated, “I will be ordering the removal of sanctions on Syria in order to allow them to have a chance at greatness. It’s their time to shine.” The lifting of sanctions, which had largely isolated Syria from the international financial system, is likely to pave the way for humanitarian assistance, foreign investment, and economic recovery initiatives.
Sharaa’s leadership is still contentious, especially in Israel, where authorities still refer to him as a jihadist even after his 2016 split from al Qaeda. The Israeli government has not yet responded to Trump’s declaration.
Trump made clear that the sanctions had done their job but insisted that the time was now right for Syria to look ahead. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, later this week to start normalizing diplomatic ties.
Shibani hailed the move as a “turning point” for Syria. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also hailed Trump’s decision as a step towards regional stability.
Experts add that the move could unwind the intricate tapestry of sanctions that had rendered Syria among the most sanctioned nations in the world. Legislators from both the dominant US parties supported the change cautiously, viewing opportunities to push back against Iran and Russia’s regional influence.
Trump’s action represents a strategic bet intended to reshape American involvement in the Middle East using diplomacy and economic leverage.
