Speaking at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh on May 13, 2025, then-President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell. This moment wowed the creative industry attendees and garnered international headlines. Once again, the former president had as good as declared the United States would remove all sanctions on Syria. This country has endured unimaginable hardship from years of war and unrest. Syria has agreed to a transitional national unity government with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. His administration’s goal is to bring stability to the nation and peace to the region.
In his speech, Trump attacked the sanctions that have devastated Syria. He described them as “brutal and crippling” and contended that they no longer perform an essential purpose. He emphasized the need for a fresh approach, stating, “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.” This step represents an important and long overdue shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Syria. It follows more than ten years of rocky relations.
The Syrian civil war first broke out more than a decade ago and has since displaced 5.7 million people. This conflict has intensified the rise of sectarian violence and terrorist attacks, particularly seen during the Islamic State’s rise in 2014. The United States and its international partners then undertook a Western-led bombing campaign to remove ISIS from the area. These actions have been insufficient to stem the tide of an ever-deepening humanitarian crisis, forcing millions of Syrians to endure extreme hardships.
Trump acknowledged the suffering endured by the Syrian people, stating, “In Syria, they’ve had their share of travesty, war, killing many years. That’s why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time in more than a decade.” This statement highlights his administration’s intent to mend ties with a country that has long been isolated on the international stage.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s transitional government, is someone to watch. Al-Sharaa, a one-time member of Al Qaeda’s ranks, claims that he found redemption. He is adamant on returning Syria to a state of stability and peace. His presidency marks the beginning of a new era for Syria, one that Trump surely supports.
So I say, Good luck Syria. Give us some extraordinary reforms, really like they’ve been done, frankly in Saudi Arabia, Trump has said, imploring the incoming administration to demonstrate how the change can be a force for good. The removal of the sanctions was meant to create an atmosphere more amenable to reconstruction and recovery.
The ramifications of this policy change is huge. Analysts suggest that removing sanctions could open avenues for international aid and investment in Syria, crucial for rebuilding infrastructure and addressing humanitarian needs. Still, it is unclear how this decision will play out both inside Syria and on the global stage.
With the world watching steel-eyed, U.S. assertiveness (or lack thereof) toward Syria will set the tone for geopolitical energy moving forward in the area. The relationship between Washington and Damascus had soured deeply because of corrosive wars and competing sectarianism. Trump’s announcement is a welcome sign that he is open to broader and more constructive diplomatic efforts that could change this relationship for the better.
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