Washington eases sanctions after Assad’s fall, but critics say Syria’s revival may be beyond reach.
At a Glance
- The US Treasury issued General License 25 on May 23, 2025, easing decade-long economic sanctions on Syria
- The 180-day waiver authorizes transactions in oil, banking, tourism, and infrastructure sectors
- The relief follows Bashar al-Assad’s fall and the rise of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa
- President Trump met al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, initiating steps to renew diplomatic relations
- Critics warn of vague benchmarks and the waiver’s open-ended nature
Strategic Pivot
The Biden and Obama administrations maintained strict economic isolation on Syria, citing Bashar al-Assad’s human rights abuses and strategic alliances with Russia and Iran. That era appears to be over. On May 23, the Trump administration took a dramatic turn, issuing General License 25 to partially lift economic sanctions and allow select transactions with the country’s new leadership under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The 180-day waiver suspends restrictions on Syria’s petroleum, financial, tourism, and infrastructure sectors—industries essential for kickstarting recovery after years of civil war. The move follows Assad’s ouster and Trump’s in-person meeting with al-Sharaa during a summit in Saudi Arabia, a moment meant to symbolize Washington’s renewed engagement in the region.
Watch a report: Trump meets Syria’s new president.
Though hailed as a breakthrough by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the waiver carefully excludes entities linked to Russia, Iran, or North Korea. The intent is clear: enable humanitarian and economic progress in Syria while blocking traditional adversaries from exploiting the opening.
Reconstruction Gambit
For over a decade, the Caesar Act and other U.S. laws imposed financial ruin on Syria in hopes of pressuring the Assad regime. But that pressure also destroyed public services and deepened human suffering. With Assad deposed, the United States is now wagering that targeted sanctions relief could fuel economic revival while keeping bad actors sidelined.
According to Treasury officials, General License 25 allows for engagement with key Syrian institutions, including banks and energy firms, previously labeled off-limits. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the waiver’s humanitarian aims, describing it as a launchpad for infrastructure recovery and a counterweight to regional instability.
The European Union quickly echoed Washington’s move, announcing its own sanctions rollback and plans to support rebuilding initiatives. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly is preparing to formally recognize al-Sharaa’s government in September, further legitimizing Syria’s return to the world stage.
Fragile Prospects
Despite the optimism, experts remain skeptical. There are no firm benchmarks for governance reforms or anti-corruption safeguards. Critics argue that without such standards, the sanctions relief may merely swap one elite beneficiary for another. And while the Caesar Act waiver offers temporary respite, its renewal remains uncertain—especially with a polarized U.S. Congress.
Syria’s recovery hinges not just on money but on trust in leadership, effective institutions, and sustained international support. If these fall short, the waiver could quickly revert, reinstating a cycle of sanctions and stagnation. As some observers note, the real tragedy may be not the lifting of sanctions, but the decade lost before it happened.
In the end, Trump’s shift marks a pragmatic if belated turn in U.S. foreign policy—a pivot that may determine whether Syria rises from the rubble or remains buried beneath it.
