Trump Vows to Remove Syria from State Sponsor of Terrorism List

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States would remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move seen as a pivotal step toward the country’s reintegration into the global community. The decision, confirmed during a meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, which has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979. Trump praised al-Sharaa for his efforts to stabilize Syria, framing the policy reversal as a gesture of support for the interim government’s reform agenda.

The U.S. State Department confirmed the decision, though no immediate timeline for implementation was disclosed. Removing Syria from the list would lift restrictions on U.S. aid and facilitate diplomatic engagement, potentially easing sanctions-related barriers to international cooperation. However, the move remains controversial, with critics arguing it could undermine accountability for past human rights abuses. Trump’s meeting with al-Sharaa, the first between a U.S. president and a Syrian leader since 2021, underscored the administration’s broader strategy to normalize relations with Damascus amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. While the action addresses one key obstacle, Syria’s full reentry into institutions like the United Nations and global financial systems will depend on broader international consensus and domestic reforms.