Trump vows to lift Syria sanctions
The move would help the new government stabilize the country following years of civil war
What happened
President Donald Trump Tuesday announced plans to drop American sanctions against Syria that have been in place since 1979, saying the financial lifeline could help the new government stabilize the country after 14 years of civil war. Trump made his unexpected announcement after arriving in Saudi Arabia for a four-day visit to the region.
Who said what
The new government of former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa "will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace," Trump said during a speech in Riyadh. "I say, good luck, Syria. Show us something special." Syrian officials said al-Sharaa, who met with Trump in the Saudi capital Wednesday morning, wanted to "share his vision of a Marshall Plan–style reconstruction in which American and other Western companies would win out over China and other powers," The Wall Street Journal said.
The U.S. has been "weighing how to handle al-Sharaa since he took power in December" after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad, The Associated Press said. Turkey and Arab Gulf leaders have "rallied behind the new government," calling it a "bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria," but Israel has been "deeply skeptical of al-Sharaa's extremist past."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Syria is still a designated state sponsor of terrorism and "waiving congressionally passed sanctions is a complicated process," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). It should be done carefully "in a coordinated fashion with our allies — especially our friends in Israel."
-
How to financially prepare for divorceThe Explainer Facing ‘irreconcilable differences’ does not have to be financially devastating
-
Why it’s important to shop around for a mortgage and what to look forThe Explainer You can save big by comparing different mortgage offers
-
4 ways to save on rising health care costsThe Explainer Health care expenses are part of an overall increase in the cost of living for Americans
-
Trump considers giving Ukraine a security guaranteeTalking Points Zelenskyy says it is a requirement for peace. Will Putin go along?
-
Why is Trump’s alleged strike on Venezuela shrouded in so much secrecy?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Trump’s comments have raised more questions than answers about what his administration is doing in the Southern Hemisphere
-
Vance’s ‘next move will reveal whether the conservative movement can move past Trump’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
What have Trump’s Mar-a-Lago summits achieved?Today’s big question Zelenskyy and Netanyahu meet the president in his Palm Beach ‘Winter White House’
-
Biggest political break-ups and make-ups of 2025The Explainer From Trump and Musk to the UK and the EU, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a round-up of the year’s relationship drama
-
Donald Trump’s squeeze on VenezuelaIn Depth The US president is relying on a ‘drip-drip pressure campaign’ to oust Maduro, tightening measures on oil, drugs and migration
-
Trump appears numerous times in new Epstein batchSpeed Read
-
Danes ‘outraged’ at revived Trump Greenland pushSpeed Read
