preCharge News POLITICS — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will lift all sanctions on Syria, signaling a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the war-torn nation. Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump said the decision was aimed at giving Syria a “chance at greatness” under its new government, which emerged after the fall of Bashar al-Assad late last year.

Why the U.S. is Lifting Sanctions on Syria

Restoring Diplomatic Ties After Assad’s Fall

Trump framed the move as a pivotal step toward peace and recovery for a country that has endured over a decade of brutal conflict.

“In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” Trump said. “That’s what we want to see.”

A History of Sanctions and Isolation

The U.S. designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 and imposed additional sanctions in 2004 and 2011 in response to Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Those sanctions, among the harshest in the world, isolated Syria from the global economy, severely restricting trade, banking, and investment.

The Long Road to Recovery

A Decade of Conflict and Sanctions

Since Assad‘s fall in December 2024 — a surprise collapse driven by a rapid offensive from anti-regime militias — the country has struggled to rebuild. The Syrian Civil War, sparked in 2011, left millions displaced, cities in ruins, and infrastructure shattered.

The conflict also saw the rise and fall of the Islamic State (ISIS), which seized vast territories before a Western-led coalition reclaimed them. Syria’s current transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member who claims to have renounced extremism, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a fractured nation.

International Pressure to End Sanctions

Humanitarian Impact and Economic Isolation

The United Nations, humanitarian groups like the International Committee for the Red Cross, and Arab League members have long called for the easing of sanctions to facilitate aid and economic recovery. After a devastating earthquake struck Syria and Turkey in 2023, these calls grew louder, with critics arguing that sanctions hindered relief efforts and stifled economic growth.

Strategic Calculations in the Middle East

The Role of Saudi Arabia and Regional Allies

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan have been at the forefront of efforts to bring Syria back into the regional fold. Saudi Arabia in particular has taken a cautious but steady approach to re-engagement, balancing its rivalry with Iran and its desire for regional stability.

“The lifting of sanctions is the single biggest moment for Syria since the start of the conflict in 2011,” Kamal Alam, an advisor to a Damascus family office investing in Syria, told preCharge News. He credited MbS and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for pushing the deal forward.

Trump’s Pitch for a New Syria

A Bold Bet on Middle East Stability

Trump, known for his unorthodox foreign policy, presented the move as part of his broader vision for a more stable Middle East.

“Now, it’s their time to shine,” he said of Syria. “We’re taking them all off. Good luck, Syria. Show us something very special, like they’ve done, frankly, in Saudi Arabia.”