President Donald Trump is set to formally end long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria in a dramatic foreign policy shift.
The move comes months after the fall of the Assad regime, ending decades of authoritarian rule and opening new geopolitical possibilities in the region.
Trump initially eased most sanctions in May, following appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and will now terminate the 2004 “national emergency” order.
That order had imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria’s state institutions, including the central bank, effectively isolating the war-torn nation from global markets.
“This is in an effort to promote and support the country’s path to stability and peace,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
She noted that sanctions would remain on remnants of the former government, including ex-president Bashar al-Assad, now in exile in Russia.
Syria recently completed its first international bank transfer since civil war erupted in 2011, signalling early signs of economic re-entry.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued airstrikes on military targets in Syria but indicated a shift in tone on Monday, expressing interest in normalizing ties.
Officials in Tel Aviv also mentioned potential détente with Lebanon, as Iranian influence in both nations appears to be waning under military pressure.
Despite the easing of economic restrictions, Syria remains on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that still hinders foreign investment.
The policy change signals a bold gamble by Washington, betting on regional reintegration and postwar rebuilding over prolonged isolation.