CubaHeadlines

Trump Announces Plan to Lift U.S. Sanctions on Syria

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 by Ernesto Alvarez

In a surprising shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday his intention to lift sanctions on Syria. He described this move as an effort to "give peace and greatness a chance" for the Arab nation, which is now under new leadership following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

“I will order the end of sanctions on Syria to give them a chance to be great,” Trump proclaimed as he received a standing ovation from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other dignitaries at an official event in Riyadh. Furthermore, Trump revealed he would meet with Syria's new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former insurgent leader, on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia. Al-Sharaa led the offensive that ousted Assad last year, ending over five decades of rule by the Assad family.

New Leadership and Controversial Figures

President Trump's decision to engage with Damascus was reportedly influenced by efforts from both bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "There is a new government that, hopefully, will succeed. Good luck, Syria. Show us something special," Trump stated.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known by his wartime alias Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has been a contentious figure internationally. Once a combatant for al-Qaeda during the Iraq insurgency, al-Sharaa was among Washington's most wanted, with a $10 million bounty for information leading to his capture. He later led the extremist group Jabhat al-Nusra, which evolved into the current Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), publicly severing ties with al-Qaeda.

Impact on International Relations

Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, al-Sharaa consolidated power in the country's north. By December 2024, he orchestrated an offensive that captured Damascus and toppled Assad's regime. He was appointed president in January 2025, becoming the first Syrian head of state in over two decades to meet with a U.S. president, since Hafez al-Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2002.

Trump’s decision signifies a departure from longstanding U.S. policy toward Syria and strains relations with allies like Israel, who have expressed deep concern over al-Sharaa’s extremist past. However, Gulf leaders, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, have strongly supported the new Syrian government, viewing it as a crucial counterbalance to Iranian influence in the region, which has weakened since Assad's fall.

"The Syrian-American meetings in Riyadh open the door to discuss differences in a climate of dialogue," stated Syrian analyst Ibrahim Hamidi from London to the AP. "This represents a significant strategic shift," he emphasized.

FAQs on U.S.-Syria Relations

Why is Trump lifting sanctions on Syria?

Trump aims to foster peace and provide a chance for Syria's new leadership to succeed after the fall of Assad’s regime.

Who is Ahmad al-Sharaa?

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is Syria's new president and a former insurgent leader who played a key role in ousting Assad.

What is the reaction of other countries to this decision?

While Israel has expressed concerns, Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey support the new Syrian government as a counter to Iran's influence.

© CubaHeadlines 2025