Lead

The United States has announced it will remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a decades-old designation that had severely impeded investment in the country. The decision, confirmed by President Donald Trump after a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, will take effect in 45 days unless Congress blocks it.

The move marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, which has been on the list since 1979. The designation carried restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, defense exports, and certain financial transactions. The announcement was welcomed in Damascus, with Syrian officials describing it as a turning point in bilateral relations.

Coverage Comparison

The announcement was covered across multiple outlets, with most reporting the core facts consistently. Al Jazeera, France 24, The Hindu, and the Jerusalem Post all reported that the decision will be effective in 45 days unless Congress blocks it. The Jerusalem Post, in its initial report, quoted Trump as saying he expected to remove Syria from the list, and noted his praise for the country's stability.

The framing varied slightly among outlets. Al Jazeera and France 24 emphasized the economic implications, while the Jerusalem Post highlighted Trump's comments on Syria's stability and its potential role in the region. The Hindu, in one of its reports, described the move as "historic," a characterization also used by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his official statement.

All sources attributed the decision to the efforts of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has sought to present himself as a unifying figure since the toppling of the Assad family in 2024. The Jerusalem Post, however, attributed the decision more directly to Trump's own initiative, describing it as "Trump announces plan to delist Syria."

Key Claims

  • The United States will remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation in place since 1979.
  • The decision will be effective in 45 days unless Congress blocks it, a step described as unlikely.
  • The Syrian Foreign Ministry called the move "an important development in the course of Syrian-American relations."
  • Economist Ziad Arbash said the delisting is a "pivotal shift from an economic standpoint," removing the biggest legal barrier to Syria's integration into the global financial system.
  • President Trump praised Syria's stability and suggested the country could help with Hezbollah and Lebanon.

Perspectives

The Syrian government welcomed the announcement. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani wrote on X: "A dark page in Syria's history has been turned." Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said the decision "paves the way to boost investment, accelerate economic recovery and reintegrate Syria into the global economy."

The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, framed the move as a positive step for Syria and the region. "This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," Rubio said in a statement. "A stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors benefits not only the region, but the entire world."

President Trump, in a letter to al-Sharaa, said: "I promised to remove all barriers stopping you from rebuilding your country, and very soon, you will finally be able to do so." He added that U.S. companies are "ready to invest" in Syria.

However, the decision has drawn attention to Israeli concerns. Multiple sources noted that Trump's embrace of al-Sharaa comes despite misgivings from Israel, which has repeatedly launched airstrikes in Syria. The Jerusalem Post, while reporting on the delisting, also quoted Trump as saying he believes Israel wants to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, remarks that were made during the same NATO summit.

Analysis

The delisting is expected to have significant economic consequences. Economist Ziad Arbash told AFP that even after the lifting of sanctions a year ago, transferring money from Europe to Syria still took about three weeks due to banks viewing the country as high-risk. The delisting removes a major legal and political barrier that has discouraged international banks and companies from reentering the Syrian market.

Syria's Central Bank Governor Safwat Raslan said the move opens up broader opportunities for investment and economic recovery, according to a post on Telegram. Several Saudi firms are reportedly planning billion-dollar investments as part of Riyadh's efforts to support Syria's recovery, with other Gulf states also pledging financial assistance.

The decision also comes amid ongoing security challenges in Syria, including twin attacks in the capital this month, and continued Israeli presence in the southwest of the country. Despite these issues, the U.S. move is seen as a vote of confidence in al-Sharaa's transitional government, which has been seeking to bring Syria out of diplomatic and economic isolation.