Is the US right to remove Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism?
The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. For the first time in nearly half a century, the Syrian government will no longer be a sanctioned entity. The consequences will be profound.
TL;DR
- The U.S. has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
- Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has also been removed from the Specially Designated Global Terrorist Group list.
- The Trump administration's decision is seen as a new U.S. approach to Syria and the region, but is also described as risky.
- Syria is now led by Ahmed al Sharaa, who led the opposition that overthrew the Assad regime.
- The Assad regime collectively ruled Syria for 54 years, characterized by brutal suppression and significant violence.
- Bashar Assad's rule was marked by a bloody civil war and chemical weapons attacks.
- Al Sharaa's forces seized Damascus in 2024 after Iran's proxies were weakened and Russia was occupied with Ukraine.
- Syria had a long history of sponsoring terrorist groups and being a source of regional instability.
- The current policy shift is influenced by diminished Iranian influence and increased Turkish influence in Syria.
- Turkey, a NATO ally, now effectively runs Syria and has its own imperial ambitions.
- Al Sharaa is an offshoot of al Qaeda and fought against U.S. forces, having been detained by them previously.
- Despite pragmatism shown by Al Sharaa, concerns remain about religious minority persecution and jihadist indoctrination in Syria.
- The article questions whether Al Sharaa can change and advises the U.S. to have no illusions about who it is dealing with.