President Donald Trump announced his intention to remove Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation it has held since 1979. This decision follows a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Trump praised al-Sharaa's leadership, stating, "He's done a great job. Maybe he would have brought that up. That's a good question. Yeah, I will."
The State Sponsors of Terrorism list includes countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. Syria's inclusion has been a significant barrier to its economic recovery and international relations. The removal from this list is expected to unlock international trade and investment, providing Syria with an opportunity to rebuild and open a new chapter for its people.
The decision has been met with bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the removal of Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. They argued that the legal basis for Syria's designation no longer applies following the fall of the Assad regime and that maintaining the designation is now a major obstacle to Syria’s economic recovery, counterterrorism cooperation, and long-term stability.
The move also aligns with the Trump administration's broader strategy to engage with Middle Eastern nations to counter regional threats. By removing Syria from the list, the U.S. aims to foster a more stable and unified Syria, which could contribute to regional security and reduce the influence of adversarial nations.
This development marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Syria, reflecting a recognition of the changes in the country's leadership and its efforts to stabilize and rebuild after years of conflict.