The short version
- The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979.
- This decision coincides with the removal of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from global terrorist lists, reflecting Washington’s acceptance of the country’s new transitional leadership.
- Officials argue the change will unlock economic investment and stability, though significant security risks and geopolitical tensions with neighbors persist.
The United States government has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had constrained the nation’s international standing for nearly half a century. This administrative shift, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, represents what officials described as the final major obstacle preventing private sector engagement with Damascus. The move signals a decisive break from decades of isolationist policy and opens the door for Syria to rejoin the global economic system.
The decision follows a broader strategic realignment under the Trump administration, which has moved to embrace Ahmed al-Sharaa, the current Syrian president. Al-Sharaa’s rise to power marks a dramatic reversal in US-Syria relations; previously, he was the target of an American bounty as the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an organization designated as a terrorist group and formerly linked to al-Qaeda. The administration views his current governance as evidence that the Syrian state has taken concrete steps to distance itself from international terrorism.
In addition to delisting the nation, the US government has also removed HTS from its roster of global terrorist organizations. This dual action acknowledges the group’s transformation since leading the rebel offensive in late 2024 that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad. Although HTS remains a dominant force within Sharaa’s transitional administration, Washington argues that the organization’s severance of ties with jihadist networks in 2016 and its subsequent political evolution justify the change in status.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the primary goal of this policy shift is to foster investment that can promote both political and economic stability. By lifting financial sanctions, restrictions on foreign aid, and limits on defense exports, the administration aims to create an environment conducive to prosperity. Rubio stated that the move provides a clear path for Syria to recover from years of isolation, allowing for greater transparency and mutual respect in international dealings.
Syrian officials have welcomed the development as a historic milestone. Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani described the decision through state media as a crucial step toward removing the effects of long-standing isolation. He pledged that Damascus would continue working to build an environment based on mutual interests, suggesting that the removal of the terror label is intended to facilitate broader diplomatic and economic normalization with Western partners.
Despite the optimism surrounding the policy change, significant risks remain. Syria is still far from secure, and the transitional government lacks broad representative legitimacy. The country sits at the center of growing tensions between its neighbors, particularly Israel and Turkey, complicating any efforts toward lasting stability. Analysts note that while the removal of sanctions may encourage investment, it does not resolve the underlying security challenges or the fragile nature of the current political arrangement.
The strategic intent behind this move appears to be drawing Syria into the US sphere of influence rather than allowing it to fall under the orbit of Russia or China. By integrating Damascus economically and diplomatically, Washington hopes to counterbalance other global powers in the region. However, the effectiveness of this strategy depends on whether the new leadership can maintain control and deliver tangible improvements in security and governance.
With Syria’s removal, only three countries remain on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism: Cuba, North Korea, and Iran. This reduction reflects a broader recalibration of American foreign policy priorities, focusing on engaging with former adversaries where strategic interests align. The coming months will likely reveal whether this bold pivot yields the promised stability or if the inherent complexities of Syrian politics continue to hinder progress.
As the dust settles on this diplomatic shift, attention will turn to how private investors respond to the lifted barriers and whether the transitional government can consolidate its authority. The interplay between economic opportunity and political fragility will define Syria’s near-term trajectory. For now, the US stance is clear: it is betting on engagement over isolation in hopes of reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗US removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism
