Latest news with #CaesarSyriaCivilianProtectionActof2019
UPI
24-05-2025
- Business
- UPI
Treasury, State Department ending Syrian sanctions to speed recovery
1 of 4 | President Donald Trump's administration is lifting sanctions on war-torn Syria, with the goal of speeding recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country. File Photo by Ahmed Ahmed/UPI | License Photo May 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's administration is lifting sanctions on war-torn Syria, with the goal of speeding recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country. The move will pave the way for "new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President's America First strategy," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement this week. Trump earlier this month met with Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa where he promised he would lift "crippling" U.S. sanctions. "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," Rubio said in the statement. "These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria." During his first term in the Oval Office in 2020, Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria and its then-President Bashar al-Assad. The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 had a major impact on Syria's economy, particularly its financial and construction sectors. Trump at the time said sanctions were targeting entities and individuals that were "actively supporting the murderous and barbaric Assad regime." Assad was ousted from power last December, fleeing to Russia. It ended a five-decade run of Assad family rule in Syria. In addition to lifting sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued Syria General License 25, allowing people previously blocked from conducting business with Syrian entities to do so under the new al-Sharaa government. "The GL will allow for new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President's America First strategy. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is providing exceptive relief to permit U.S. financial institutions to maintain correspondent accounts for the Commercial Bank of Syria," Rubio said in the statement. "Today's actions represent the first step in delivering on the President's vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States," Rubio said. "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 American directive comes just days after the European Union made a similar move. EU officials on Tuesday lifted its sanctions on Syria with the same goal of helping economic recovery. "We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said at the time.
Arabian Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Trump's Middle East Tour Sparks Diplomatic and Economic Shifts
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to lift longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria, in place since 1979 and intensified during the Syrian Civil War. During his Middle East tour, Trump revealed the decision at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, describing the sanctions as historically significant yet now detrimental. The sanctions had frozen Syrian assets, banned petroleum imports, and isolated the country from the global economy. Critics highlight that repealing the sanctions, especially those under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, will require Congressional approval. The initiative is seen as a diplomatic boost for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda affiliate leader who rose to power after leading a coalition against Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Trump's move has drawn regional and international attention, with suggestions it could undermine Iran's influence in Syria and potentially shift Russian oil dynamics. Trump urged al-Sharaa to normalize ties with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords and ensure Syria's cooperation in combating ISIS and foreign terrorism. While experts stress the complexity and gradual nature of the sanctions' removal, the decision marks a potential turning point for Syria's reintegration into the global economy and geopolitics. During his visit to the Gulf, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major policy shift by lifting long-standing sanctions on Syria, a country devastated by over a decade of civil war. The decision, made at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marks a significant change in U.S. foreign policy. Trump also secured a historic $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia, including an arms deal worth $142 billion, dubbed the largest U.S. defense agreement ever. The deal spans multiple sectors such as defense, energy, and infrastructure, and may eventually reach $1 trillion. Trump's visit emphasized economic cooperation with Gulf nations, including stops in Qatar and the UAE, and was attended by major U.S. business leaders. While he did not visit Israel, Trump urged Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with the Jewish state. He also expressed willingness to negotiate a new deal with Iran but warned of heightened pressure if Tehran does not change its stance. Notably, Trump avoided addressing the Khashoggi murder controversy, praising bin Salman instead. The trip reflects Trump's goal of reinforcing regional alliances against Iran and fostering economic partnerships. During a high-profile diplomatic mission to Riyadh, President Trump endeavored to address four major global crises simultaneously. With $1 trillion in foreign investment as a key motivator, Trump employed a fast-paced and personalized approach to diplomacy, positioning himself as a bold alternative to traditional U.S. foreign policy strategies. In his keynote speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, he articulated a vision for conflict resolution and partnership-building. Key developments included lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria post-Assad regime, marking an attempt to offer the new Syrian government an opportunity for revival. In a surprise breakthrough, Trump's envoy secured the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity. Trump also advocated for direct Russia-Ukraine talks and expressed readiness to join leaders in Turkey. Additionally, after nuclear negotiations in Oman, he issued an ultimatum to Iran to accept a new nuclear deal or face renewed pressure. Despite these ambitious efforts, tangible results have yet to materialize, highlighting the gap between Trump's high confidence in his dealmaking skills and real-world outcomes. His approach reflects a rejection of both interventionist and internationalist doctrines in favor of transactional, 'America First' diplomacy. On Thursday, the foreign ministers of Turkey, the U.S., and Syria will convene in Antalya, Turkey, to discuss the implementation details of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria. This decision, announced at the behest of Saudi Arabia's crown prince and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy. The move supports efforts by new allied leadership in Syria, including Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad and the end of a 14-year civil war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the historic significance of this policy change, stating it would foster financial investment and infrastructure development in war-torn Syria. The meeting will include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, focusing on finalizing the framework established by their leaders. The lifting of sanctions is expected to reconnect Syria with the global financial system, enhance humanitarian efforts, and stimulate foreign investment and trade. However, Fidan noted that formal congressional and administrative processes in the U.S. still need to be addressed to effectuate the full removal of sanctions. On May 14, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary, defended significant staff cuts and budget reductions to the Department of Health and Human Services, including an $18 billion reduction to NIH and $3.6 billion from the CDC, as part of the Trump administration's budget plan. These moves were met with protests, particularly from AIDS activists, and legal challenges from major labor unions. Kennedy reversed some layoffs at NIOSH but faced criticism for gutting programs related to HIV prevention and health research. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives advanced Trump's sweeping budget package that includes Medicaid cuts, stricter SNAP work requirements, and a large tax cut favoring higher earners. The bill has drawn heavy criticism for excluding low-income families from child tax credits and for attempts to block AI regulation at the state level. Internationally, Trump's Middle East visit stirred controversy due to his intention to accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar and a surprise decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria after meeting its president. Harvard pledged $250 million to support research after federal funding freezes. Further concern arose over civil rights staff resignations at the DOJ and GOP plans to restrict nonprofit tax-exempt status based on political alignment. During a significant visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $142 billion arms deal with the nation and delivered a major speech at a U.S.-Saudi investment summit. In his remarks, Trump criticized Western intervention in the Middle East and praised Saudi Arabia for its progress, calling it 'a modern miracle the Arabian way.' He also revealed plans to lift broad sanctions on Syria, indicating a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward offering the country a pathway to recovery. Additionally, in a move set to impact global economic dynamics profoundly, the United States and China reached a resolution in their prolonged trade war, which had previously disrupted markets and supply chains worldwide. As a unique gesture of hospitality, Saudi Arabia provided a mobile McDonald's truck for Trump during the state visit. The developments suggest a strategic and economic realignment in U.S. international relations. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman held a phone call with new US President Donald Trump. Prince Mohammed, de facto leader of the world's biggest oil exporter, made the pledge in a phone call following Trump's inauguration on Monday, Saudi state media said. Trump forged close relations with Riyadh in his first term and is now expected to push Saudi Arabia, home of Islam's holiest sites, towards normalising ties with Israel as a major foreign policy objective. 'The crown prince affirmed the kingdom's intention to broaden its investments and trade with the United States over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that,' the Saudi Press Agency reported. It did not give details of the source of the funds, which represent more than half of Saudi GDP, or how they are expected to be used. Prince Mohammed, 39, also passed on congratulations from his father, King Salman, during the call. The White House said it was Trump's first phone call with a foreign leader since his return to office. 'The two leaders discussed efforts to bring stability to the Middle East, bolster regional security, and combat terrorism,' a statement said. 'Additionally, they discussed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's international economic ambitions over the next four years as well as trade and other opportunities to increase the mutual prosperity.' Trump's first visit as president in 2017 was to Saudi Arabia, and this week he joked that a major financial commitment could persuade him to do the same again. 'I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our product,' he said. Trump quipped he would repeat the visit 'if Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another 450 or 500 — we'll up it for all the inflation'. During Trump's first term, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco broke with longstanding Arab policy to recognise Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords. The new Trump administration is expected to try to repeat the process with Saudi Arabia, following similar efforts under president Joe Biden. Saudi Arabia broke off talks with US officials about ties with Israel early in the Gaza war, and has repeatedly insisted it will not recognise Israel without the existence of a Palestinian state.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - The US and Syria: Between strategic success and unfinished business
Washington is facing a moment of rare strategic clarity in Syria, a country long synonymous with unending war and geopolitical entanglement. A fragile interim government in Syria is struggling for stabilization. The dilemma for the U.S. is how to choose its level of engagement there without engaging in new conflicts or letting adversarial forces gain ground. This becomes particularly important for the Trump administration, as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a transitional government on March 30, appointing a diverse 23-member Cabinet — an illustration of his growing grip on power. Although past policy has oscillated between intervention and disengagement, the current situation requires a balanced approach between pragmatic diplomacy and enforcing critical red lines. The decisions Washington makes during this period will shape whether Syria develops into a functional state or backslides into instability. Strategically, the U.S. has achieved major successes in the region. The military presence of Iran has been substantially debilitated. Hezbollah's weapon supply chains have been interrupted and Russia's control over Syrian politics has diminished. The longstanding 'ring of fire' which threatened Israel due to Iranian-backed militias no longer presents an urgent danger. These successes, however, do not translate to an automatic U.S. exit from Syria's affairs. A hasty U.S. withdrawal, combined with rigid policy approaches, would create fertile conditions for its adversaries to regain power in the resulting vacuum. The situation demands careful consideration, because Syria will fall back into disorder from insufficient engagement, yet deep intervention could inversely disrupt the current political equilibrium. The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 remains the subject of extensive discussion in Washington regarding its potential lifting. The sanctions imposed to condemn Bashar al-Assad 's crimes have been unintentionally blocking Syria's economic revival since the war ended. The U.S. should maintain its human rights enforcement yet Washington should adopt a dynamic approach by offering economic incentives for specific reforms to support Syria's new government in establishing stability. The U.S. policy must rest primarily on diplomatic relations. Washington has demonstrated its willingness to adjust policies through limited sanctions relief in January and it facilitated essential agreements between the interim government and Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. These efforts should be expanded. The good thing is that there has been some positive development in this regard. As per credible media reports, the U.S. has presented Syria with a set of conditions for partial sanctions relief, including a firm demand that no foreign nationals hold senior positions in the government. Natasha Franceschi, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for the Levant and Syria, personally conveyed these terms to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during a sideline meeting at the Syria donor conference in Brussels on March 18. This marks the first high-level direct engagement between Washington and Damascus since President Donald Trump assumed office on Jan. 20, underscoring a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Syria. The U.S. should maintain direct contact with Syrian leadership to influence its post-conflict decisions toward protecting minority populations and security sector transformation and economic growth. Engaging does not mean endorsing — it means having a seat at the table. Ignoring Syria's new leadership outright by the international community would allow regional powers to dictate the country's future on their own terms. The transition government must protect Syria from becoming a haven for war criminals while implementing transitional justice processes and achieving credible judicial outcomes for recent events including the Latakia massacres. The credibility of Syria's interim government will rapidly decline both domestically and internationally if it does not demonstrate authentic dedication to these principles. The U.S. also faces a difficult decision regarding whether or not to engage with the rebel faction that led the successful overthrow of the Assad regime. Designated as a terrorist organization because of its al-Qaeda ties, it now operates as the governing force across extensive Syrian territories under al-Sharaa's leadership. There is also a geopolitical dimension to Syria's reintegration. Some analysts argue that Damascus should pursue normalization with Israel under the framework of the Abraham Accords, a move that could accelerate its economic recovery and diplomatic legitimacy. But this depends upon the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The continuing war between Israel and Palestinians may make such a scenario untenable. The path out of permanent economic isolation will require Syria to develop connections with countries that extend beyond its traditional allies Russia and Iran. The U.S. should explore creative diplomatic incentives that encourage Syria's integration into a broader Middle Eastern framework — whether through economic partnerships, counterterrorism cooperation or regional security arrangements. Acting with this in mind, the U.S. must secure its current successes in Syria while stopping the country from descending into a failed state. The U.S. must avoid the worst-case situation where Syria limps on a fragmented territory lacking effective government while being controlled by foreign interests. It must also reject the false choice between full recognition of Syria's interim government and complete disengagement. The U.S. must engage selectively, applying pressure where necessary and offering incentives where useful. Washington has consistently operated with a reactive Middle Eastern policy that focuses on crisis response instead of proactive event formation. In Syria, the U.S. has an opportunity to transform its past reactive approach to balanced one, combining diplomatic relations with conditional economic aid and defined governance standards provides. Imran Khalid is a physician and has a master's degree in international relations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Saudi Gazette
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Farid Al-Madhan from Syria's Daraa is Caesar, the defected Syrian whistleblower
Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The identity of " Caesar," the defected Syrian whistleblower, is revealed as Farid Al-Madhan from the town of Sheikh Maskin in Syria's Daraa governorate, according to Okaz newspaper. Okaz had kept the name of "Caesar" as a secret for four years, as he requested anonymity in the interview conducted with him along with his partner Sami and published on May 17, 2020 in the newspaper. "Caesar" was a first assistant in the Syrian army, who defected from the Assad regime and leaked tens of thousands of photos of torture victims among Syrian civilians, which the international investigation committee, tasked with investigating war crimes in Syria, relied on to prove the atrocities and crimes of the former regime. Since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, Farid was tasked with photographing the bodies of civilians who were victims of torture and murder at the hands of Bashar al-Assad's regime. He worked as a military photographer in the regime's army from 2000 until his defection in 2013. He is considered as the first and main source for the trial of Assad and his gang, as he succeeded in collecting about 27,000 photos of detainees and dead people inside the dungeons of the deposed regime, and sent the photos to his relatives outside Syria, then he succeeded in escaping with his family members. "Caesar" succeeded in exposing Bashar's regime to the whole world, as no one knew what was going on behind bars and closed iron doors for hundreds of thousands of detainees. He leaked tens of thousands of photos of victims of torture carried out by the regime's security branches, which expose what is happening inside prisons and shed light on what it described as one of the greatest atrocities witnessed by humanity in its history. Despite the regime's attempts to cast doubt on the torture photos, especially Assad, the Human Rights Watch confirmed the authenticity of the photos provided by "Caesar" related to the death of 6,786 people inside Syrian prisons, and the organization documented the victims through his photos. These images, smuggled out of Syria at great personal risk, became the foundation for the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, a set of US sanctions targeting the regime's key financial and military backers. Along with Farid, Osama Othman, better known by his alias Sami, also played a crucial role in exposing the Assad regime's war crimes, risking everything to ensure the world bore witness to the atrocities committed in Syrian prisons. The courage of Caesar and Sami in bringing these crimes to light not only shaped Western public opinion on the Syrian civil war but also contributed to the mounting pressure against Assad's government.
