In brief
The recent discussions signal a softening of U.S. policies towards Syria, with hopes of economic recovery for the war-torn nation.
May 15, 2025, 2:39 p.m. ET—In a historic move signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-Syria relations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting with Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Syria's foreign minister, in Antalya, Turkey, on Thursday. This meeting comes shortly after President Trump announced his decision to lift longstanding sanctions against Syria, which many believe could provide critical economic relief to the country following a brutal 14-year civil war.The announcement followed Mr. Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where he first revealed the sanctions' removal, generating discussions on establishing stronger bilateral ties. On the subsequent day, Mr. Trump met with Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Shara, a former rebel leader, indicating a calculated shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Syria's new governing authorities.During their discussions, Rubio and al-Shaibani mapped out a potential framework for lifting these sanctions, though the specifics regarding the timeline and processes involved remain uncertain. While the president has the authority to revoke certain restrictions, many others require Congressional approval, and experts caution that navigating this complex political landscape will take considerable time.On Thursday, the Treasury Department indicated via social media that it was initiating the process of lifting sanctions under Mr. Trump’s directive, marking a significant step in the evolving relationship between the U.S. and Syria.
