This week, President Donald Trump’s announcement to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria during his Middle East trip signifies a notable policy shift that could potentially alter the dynamics of the region. This decision has ignited a flurry of activity within the U.S. government to execute the newly declared plan, as reported by multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
The Surprising Decision
For months, officials within the Trump administration were quietly engaging with Syrian representatives to pursue sanctions relief and investigate high-level interactions with the interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist. However, the abrupt announcement that sanctions would soon be lifted took many within the government by surprise, according to those familiar with the discussions.
One source pointed out, “This was not an off-the-cuff decision by the president. The possibility had been discussed for months, but Trump barreled far beyond what was happening at the working level.”
The Context of the Announcement
The meeting that propelled this shift would have been unthinkable until recently, given Syria’s ongoing brutal civil war lasting over a decade, culminating in al-Sharaa leading a coalition that toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided clarity on the mechanics of the policy change approximately a day after Trump’s statements, explaining that the U.S. would grant waivers to existing sanctions against Syria, as sanctioned activities are currently mandated by law.
“If we make enough progress, we’d like to see the law repealed,” Rubio stated, emphasizing the need to reassure potential investors who may hesitate to engage with Syria due to the risk of sanctions being reinstated. “We’re not there yet. That’s premature,” he added.
Implementation Challenges
In the wake of Trump’s announcement, government officials indicated that they are now dissecting the complexities of the sanctions relief process. This technical review is expected to take several weeks. While there are no limitations on the administration’s ability to issue sanctions waivers, the process is anticipated to be lengthy and intricate.
A Trump administration official noted that the Treasury Department will likely issue general licenses that would encompass a wide range of the economy, crucial for rebuilding efforts in Syria, in the upcoming weeks.
Ignoring Regional Concerns
During the announcement, Trump acknowledged the significant role that Saudi officials played in advocating for the lifting of sanctions, focusing particularly on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“What I do for the crown prince,” Trump said while making eye contact with bin Salman. “The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served an important function, but now it’s their time to shine.” This statement underscores the nuanced diplomatic engagement that has unfolded behind the scenes.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Turkish government had prior knowledge of U.S. efforts regarding the lifting of sanctions and expressed their support. Trump cited conversations with both the Saudi crown prince and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as influential in his decision to lift the sanctions.
However, the decision faced opposition from regional allies, particularly Israel. An Israeli official revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had implored Trump not to remove sanctions during their meeting in Washington in April, expressing fears it could precipitate further violence, akin to events observed on October 7, 2023.
On Friday, Trump admitted that he had not consulted Israel regarding the sanctions relief, affirming, “I thought it was the right thing to do.”
Months of Negotiations
The discussions that led to this pivotal decision were not instantaneous. They stemmed from months of interaction between the Trump administration and Syrian officials, where efforts were made to establish a rapport and explore the possibility of sanctions relief.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani’s visits to Washington for recent International Monetary Fund meetings facilitated discussions with U.S. officials, following earlier engagements in New York. These meetings were informed by preliminary discussions held in Paris earlier in the year, where U.S. representatives outlined steps necessary for sanctions to be lifted, including cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and the eradication of any remaining chemical weapons.
Beyond governmental engagement, Syrian representatives also reached out to stakeholders outside the U.S. government in an attempt to promote their narrative that the new government is distinct from the prior Assad regime. These efforts aimed to ease apprehensions regarding al-Sharaa’s background.
Resistance to Change
Despite the administration’s intent to normalize relations with the new Syrian governance, resistance emerged within certain factions. Notably, figures such as Sebastian Gorka, head of counterterrorism, and Joel Rayburn, the former Syria envoy, displayed skepticism toward the normalization of al-Sharaa, reflecting concerns about his former jihadist ties. A former official remarked, “Once a jihadi, always a jihadi,” summarizing the reluctance among some officials to fully embrace al-Sharaa.
Gorka’s recent comments echoed this skepticism, asserting, “The fact remains: jihadis very rarely moderate after they win.” Nonetheless, he praised Trump’s meeting with al-Sharaa as “absolute genius,” underscoring the necessity for al-Sharaa’s administration to address issues concerning minority representation and the fight against ISIS.
The Road Ahead
As the Trump administration moves forward to implement its new policy on Syria, the path remains complicated and fraught with challenges. Experts and advocacy groups underscored that lifting U.S. export controls may be as essential as easing sanctions for Syria’s economic development.
Uncertainty remains regarding whether the interim Syrian government has agreed to all of the prerequisites set by the U.S. prior to the announcement.
Rubio noted that the al-Sharaa government appears to be committed to principles established by the international community, including fostering an inclusive government, establishing peace with neighbors such as Israel, and denouncing terrorism. He also indicated that the Syrian government would seek assistance in dismantling any remaining chemical weapons.
Nevertheless, Rubio cautioned against expecting an immediate normalization of relations with al-Sharaa’s administration. “This is a new relationship. We’ve now known each other for 24 hours,” he remarked, emphasizing the long journey ahead for restoring ties, while positioning the diplomatic breakthrough as a potentially transformative opportunity for the broader region.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/officials-across-us-government-scramble-130050696.html
