Egypt Daily News – In a move that marks a significant pivot in U.S. foreign policy, former President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order lifting longstanding economic sanctions on Syria. The decision fulfills a promise he made during a meeting with Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in June.
The White House framed the executive order as part of a broader effort to support Syria’s transition toward stability and peace following more than a decade of civil war.
“This action is designed to promote and support the country’s path to stability and peace,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ahead of the signing.
Al-Sharaa, a former insurgent with ties to al-Qaeda who once served time in Iraq’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison, was sworn in as Syria’s interim president earlier this year. His controversial rise to power has raised eyebrows internationally. Despite his past, U.S. officials argue the new leadership in Damascus deserves a chance to prove itself.
“This is not about nation-building or dictating a model,” said U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack. “It’s about removing barriers to give the new government a chance to succeed.”
Trump’s decision also dismantles the core of the sanctions infrastructure put in place by previous administrations, although targeted sanctions against former President Bashar al-Assad, his associates, and other destabilizing elements in the region remain intact.
The administration insists that the move is not an attempt to exert leverage over Syria. “The president ripped the sanctions off without any conditions,” said a senior official. “It’s to Syria’s benefit to lean toward Israel.”
The Trump administration has been quietly encouraging Syria to normalize relations with its neighbors — including the United States and Israel — as part of a broader strategy to integrate Syria into the framework of the Abraham Accords. Officials revealed that backchannel conversations between Syria and Israel have already taken place.
“They’re not being leveraged,” the official said. “We’re making the economic and diplomatic path fruitful for them it’s about peace, prosperity, and regional integration.”
Brad Smith, the acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, said the administration would continue to monitor threats and retain the ability to reimpose sanctions where necessary.
“The significance of this moment cannot be overstated,” Smith said. “We remain hopeful, but clear-eyed. Treasury will act decisively if U.S. interests or financial systems are threatened.”
Despite Trump’s executive order and a prior suspension of several sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, administration officials acknowledged that a full repeal of sanctions may require legislative action from Congress.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a 180-day waiver of Caesar Act sanctions in May, but broader changes would require bipartisan agreement on Capitol Hill.
“Ultimately, Congress has the power to repeal the act,” a senior official noted.
The lifting of sanctions is expected to reshape the U.S.-Syria relationship and could have ripple effects across the Middle East. Whether the gambit pays off in long-term stability remains to be seen.
