Latest news with #CaesarAct
Jordan News
3 days ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Pedersen: Arab and Foreign Investments on the Way to Syria - Jordan News
UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, confirmed the existence of an international consensus on the need to support Syria and ensure the success of the new government in achieving stability and economic development. اضافة اعلان In an interview with Syrian Al-Ikhbariya TV on Friday, Pedersen praised the decisions by the United States and the European Union to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, noting that such steps provide a real opportunity for economic progress, although they require time and further developments to take full effect. The UN envoy explained that following the easing of sanctions, many investors from Arab countries, as well as from Turkey, Europe, and the United States, have expressed interest in investing in Syria. He emphasized that progress in the security file is essential for advancing economic development. Pedersen noted that more than 17 million Syrians are still in need of humanitarian assistance. He also stated that the United Nations is closely monitoring the details surrounding the lifting of sanctions, especially those related to the humanitarian provisions of the Caesar Act. He called for the development of a clear regulatory framework to encourage investment and establish a secure economic environment. He stressed that 'stability is a fundamental condition for any economic or political transformation,' adding that while some aspects of security have been stabilized, the UN will continue to support the political process. Pedersen affirmed that cooperation between the United Nations and the Syrian government is very good, with the government fulfilling its duties to enhance security and stability across the country. Pedersen also pointed out that Israel continues to violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and carries out repeated attacks on Syrian territory, saying that there is no justification for these assaults, which must stop immediately. (Syrian TV)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Syrian Outreach Turns an Enemy Into a Friend
Six months ago, U.S.-Syrian enmity seemed locked in for good. Congress was set to renew the Caesar Civilian Protection Act, a set of economic sanctions designed to weaken the government of Bashar al-Assad by preventing postwar reconstruction. And it was only the latest in a set of economic sanctions imposed in 1979, when the U.S. State Department declared Syria a state sponsor of terrorism. Even the revolution that overthrew Assad in December 2024 did not seem to change the trajectory. As rebels led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, then nicknamed Abu Mohammad al-Golani, advanced on Damascus, the Biden administration insisted that Golani and his men were also terrorists. Congress went ahead with the Caesar Act renewal, and hawkish factions in Washington prepared to put impossible conditions on sanctions relief. This week, however, the Trump administration seems to have let bygones be bygones. On Friday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a three-page waiver lifting almost all economic sanctions on Syria unconditionally. On Wednesday, an American flag flew over Damascus for the first time in a decade as the Syrian government handed back the old U.S. ambassador's residence to Thomas Barrack, who serves as both U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria. Barrack said that President Donald Trump would soon be taking Syria off of the terrorism sponsors list, and claimed that the long-running Syrian-Israeli conflict is a "solvable problem," Reuters reported. "America's intent and the president's vision is that we have to give this young government a chance by not interfering, not demanding, by not giving conditions, by not imposing our culture on your culture," Barrack told the crowd at the residence. Later on his trip, Barrack followed up on the symbolism by signing off on a huge concrete investment: a $7 billion deal for a consortium of American, Turkish, and Qatari companies to build up Syrian electrical infrastructure. "Syria is OPEN FOR BUSINESS," Barrack declared on X. "Commerce not chaos!" It was the same tone Trump himself struck in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, where he denounced "so-called nation builders" who tried to impose their visions by force, bragged that "some of the closest friends of the United States of America are nations we fought wars against in generations past," and shook hands with Sharaa himself. Of course, a waiver isn't a permanent end to sanctions. The sanctions imposed by Congress have to be lifted by Congress. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that it should do exactly that. The administration could have taken a different approach. Sharaa had fought for Al Qaeda in the past, and Syria still has active territorial disputes with Israel, which captured the Golan Heights in a 1967 war and seized additional land after Assad fell. Some figures in the administration wanted to slow-roll sanctions relief as a way to keep the new Syrian government on its toes. But Rubio argued to Congress that keeping post-revolutionary Syria economically isolated could cause dangerous instability. By lifting almost all sanctions at once, the Trump administration demonstrated another foreign policy principle: You can just do things. Despite the bureaucratic tangle of sanctions, which some officials hinted would be a complicated process to undo, Trump simply waived them all with a short, simple declaration. And unlike the former Biden administration, which often complained that its hands were tied by hawkish Senate Democrats on foreign policy, Trump doesn't seem to be paying any political price for his outreach to Syria. A bigger test will be whether Trump can pull off the same maneuver with Iran, whose nuclear program he is currently negotiating to restrict. Sharaa won Syria a fresh start by overthrowing Assad. Iran, on the other hand, has a whole collection of ongoing, high-stakes disagreements with the U.S. And the U.S.-Iranian rivalry—which includes the 1979 embassy takeover and Iranian intervention in Iraq—has always been more emotionally charged than any U.S.-Syrian rivalry. Still, many of the same factors that led to "commerce not chaos" with Syria are aligned in favor of a deal with Iran. The Arab states now investing in Syria also want to do business with Iran without fear of U.S. sanctions, and have been reportedly lobbying Trump to deescalate that conflict. Trump himself seems pretty confident that a deal is around the corner—confident enough that he warned Israel not to attack Iran in the meantime. "I think we're going to see something very sensible," he told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. "That could change at any moment. It could change with a phone call. But right now, I think they want to make a deal, and if we make a deal, it would save a lot of lives." The post Trump's Syrian Outreach Turns an Enemy Into a Friend appeared first on
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Providing Sanctions Relief For The Syrian People
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State May 23, 2025 In accordance with the President's promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I have issued a 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions to ensure sanctions do not impede the ability of our partners to make stability-driving investments, and advance Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts. These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria. In addition, the Department of the Treasury issued Syria General License (GL) 25 to authorize transactions by U.S. persons previously prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria. The GL will allow for new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President's America First strategy. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is providing exceptive relief to permit U.S. financial institutions to maintain correspondent accounts for the Commercial Bank of Syria. Today's actions represent the first step in delivering on the President's vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States. President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria's relations with its neighbors. The President has made clear his expectation that relief will be followed by prompt action by the Syrian government on important policy priorities. The sanctions waiver is issued pursuant to section 7432(b)(1) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note).
Leaders
24-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Syria Welcomes US Sanctions Lift, Eyes Post-War Reconstruction
Syria on Saturday hailed the formal lifting of sanctions by the United States as a 'positive step' towards post-war recovery. The United States lifted comprehensive economic sanctions on Syria on Friday, marking a dramatic policy shift and opening the door for investment in the country's reconstruction. US President Donald Trump announced the policy change during his Gulf tour earlier this month, shaking hands with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Trump expressed his desire to give Syria's new leaders 'a chance at greatness' following Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December. 'The Syrian Arab Republic welcomes the American government's decision to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria and its people for many years,' stated the foreign ministry. This move is seen as 'a positive step in the right direction to reduce humanitarian and economic struggles in the country.' The US first imposed sanctions on Syria in 1979 under Hafez al-Assad's rule, expanding them significantly after the 2011 crackdown on anti-government protests. These sanctions targeted financial transactions and reconstruction efforts, aiming to pressure Assad's regime. New Government's Efforts Since Assad's ouster, the new administration has sought to build relations with the West and roll back sanctions. However, some governments remained hesitant due to the Islamist past of leading figures, including Sharaa, once labeled a 'terrorist' by Washington. However, on Friday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the implementation of authorizations to encourage new investment in Syria. The sanctions relief comes with conditions, including ensuring Syria does not harbor terrorist organizations and protects religious and ethnic minorities. The US State Department issued a 180-day waiver for the Caesar Act to facilitate foreign investment in Syria. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the waiver would 'facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, enabling a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.' Promoting Recovery and Reconstruction Rubio emphasized that the lifting of sanctions aims to promote 'recovery and reconstruction efforts' in Syria. Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh highlighted that this move would aid in reconstruction, infrastructure modernization, and attract investments. Furthermore, the European Union also lifted its sanctions on Syria earlier this month. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani promised more successes in the coming months, complementing the decisions to lift American and European sanctions. Analysts suggest that a full lifting of sanctions may take time, as some US restrictions require congressional action. Syrian authorities must also ensure an attractive environment for foreign investment to fully benefit from this policy shift. The lifting of sanctions represents the first step in delivering on President Trump's vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States. This move offers hope for Syria's recovery and reconstruction, paving the way for a brighter future. Short link : Post Views: 33
See - Sada Elbalad
24-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Lifts Economic Sanctions on Syria
Israa Farhan The United States officially lifted its longstanding economic sanctions on Syria on Friday, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy and opening the door for renewed international investment in the war-torn country following the departure of Bashar al-Assad. According to a statement from Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, the move aims to help Syria transition into a peaceful, stable, and prosperous nation. The US Treasury Department announced the issuance of a general license easing certain sanctions, with officials describing it as part of a broader plan to support economic recovery and reconstruction. A senior official at the State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had signed off on a 180-day waiver of sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act. The decision follows an earlier announcement by President Donald Trump in Riyadh, where he expressed his intention to end sanctions on Syria as part of a wider regional policy realignment. US sanctions on Syria have been in place for decades, gradually expanding since 1979 to cover a broad range of areas, including aid, trade, and financial transactions. These restrictions intensified during the civil war and targeted key sectors and figures in the Syrian regime. The lifting of sanctions is being viewed as a critical moment for Syria's economic future. Citizens have expressed cautious optimism that their country may now have a real opportunity for recovery and growth after years of isolation and devastation. On the official front, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani welcomed the US decision, calling it a pivotal turning point for Syria's reentry into the global economy. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
