A New Dawn in Syria

The US Prez Trump’s recently announced easing of long-standing sanctions on Syria marks a pivotal moment for the war-torn nation and the broader Middle East, writes Asad Mirza.

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THE meeting between Syria’s interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al-Golani and President Trump, apparently at the behest of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), was followed by a sudden announcement of ending economic sanctions against Syria. It reflects a pragmatic approach to fostering stability and economic recovery in the region.

Though unexpected, yet the fact is that these sanctions were imposed by the US itself in 1979, when it designated Syria as a “state sponsor of terrorism’, citing its support for groups like Hezbollah and its military presence in Lebanon.

The next round of sanctions was imposed in 2004 for Syria’s alleged pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and its interference in neighbouring Iraq. The most stringent measures came in 2011, in response to the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters.

However, the easing of sanctions may offer a way forward to Syria and its new leader to rebuild the country and reintegrate into the international community.

Bashar Al-Assad’s regime's collapse in December 2024 ushered in a new era for Syria. While concerns have been expressed about his past affiliations, Al-Sharaa has made concerted efforts to distance himself from his militant past and present himself as a statesman committed to rebuilding Syria.

The world’s attention on Syria today is because of its strategic location — as it has been for millennia. The emerging political trends in the Levant and the wider Middle East for years to come, will be based on the outcome of the competition to control Syrian governance.