On May 13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced, during his visit to Riyadh, the decision to lift sanctions on Syria, thus ending a phase of economic isolation that lasted for years. This shift, resulting from a complex diplomatic process, places Syria before critical political and economic challenges that require careful analysis linking regional changes with internal transformations.
Context of the Decision: A New Network of Alliances and Shifting Power Balances
Washington’s announcement to lift sanctions on Syria was not an isolated event but rather the culmination of a series of political moves that began in early 2025, when the Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, launched intensive diplomatic efforts to end the isolation imposed on Damascus.
The European Union, for its part, took an initial step in February 2025 by partially suspending sanctions on the energy and transportation sectors, signaling an early indicator of a changing international attitude toward Syria.
As for Turkey, which has remained a key player in the Syrian file, it recalibrated its strategy after the collapse of the previous regime in December 2024, moving toward a more pragmatic approach that allowed it to participate in reconstruction efforts within a regional alliance that includes Riyadh, Washington, and Ankara. This alliance redraws the map of influence in the Middle East, countering the growing decline of the Russian-Iranian axis.
The Syrian-American Meeting in Riyadh: Multi-Dimensional Messages
On May 13, 2025, the Saudi capital witnessed a first-of-its-kind meeting between Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and his American counterpart, a move carrying implications that go beyond the framework of bilateral interests, considering the temporal and spatial context as well as the historical significance.
As for the timing, the meeting came five months after the fall of the previous regime, at the height of efforts to rebuild the state on new foundations.
As for the location, it was in Riyadh, which has become a center for regional transformations, reflecting Syria’s return to the Arab fold with a more independent approach.
As for the content, it was the announcement of a new alliance including the United States, Gulf countries, Egypt, and Jordan, aimed at restoring geopolitical balance in the region.
Internal Challenges: Requirements for Reconstruction and Institutional Reform
Lifting the sanctions represents a real opportunity for reconstruction, but it is linked to challenges that require a carefully considered response on three main levels:
- Reforming government institutions, which is essential through restructuring public administration to ensure transparency and efficiency in resource management, and developing a comprehensive economic plan to rehabilitate infrastructure, especially in the energy and transportation sectors.
- Recalibrating the military and political landscape by integrating armed factions within a unified national framework, strengthening the independence of Syrian military decision-making, and expanding the scope of national dialogue to reach a political consensus that spares the country scenarios of division.
- Involving society in the economic revival process by stimulating the private sector and foreign investments to create jobs and enhance economic stability, in addition to activating the role of civil institutions in repairing the social fabric to ensure the building of a cohesive state.
External Challenges: The Sovereignty Equation and the New Alliance’s Demands
Despite optimism about attracting international investments, the five American demands leaked from the meeting point to political considerations that cannot be ignored, such as the Abraham Accords, which require linking any potential normalization with Israel to its full withdrawal from the Golan Heights, alongside a firm rejection of any settlements that affect Palestinian rights. Also, the issue of terrorism must be addressed through mechanisms that ensure Syria does not bear security burdens alone.
The New Alliance: Between Opportunities and Risks
It is clear that the shift from the Russian-Iranian axis to a Western-Arab alliance carries obvious economic and political opportunities, foremost among them the restoration of national decision-making by ending external dominance over Syrian policies and regaining the ability to chart independent paths. This is in addition to the influx of investments, especially from Gulf countries, which have shown readiness to support reconstruction projects.
However, this partnership is not without risks, as the greatest challenge remains ensuring that Syria is an active partner rather than a subordinate, and that relationships are built on mutual interests rather than political dictates.
Conclusion: A New Turning Point and a Historic Responsibility
The lifting of sanctions marks a pivotal turning point in Syria’s trajectory, but it does not signify the end of challenges; rather, it is the beginning of a real test for the new leadership’s ability to formulate a political and economic model that preserves sovereignty and lays the foundation for a phase of stability and sustainable development.
Therefore, we believe that the coming phase requires a conscious vision and strong political will to ensure that this historic moment is invested in a way that serves the country’s interests, away from the narrow calculations that have burdened Syria for decades.
The lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria is not merely a political decision but a strategic shift that places the country before a historic responsibility. Consequently, the success of this phase depends on the ability of all Syrians—government, political and military forces, and the people—to wisely seize this opportunity and turn it into a launchpad toward a more stable and prosperous future.
Will Syria be able to seize this moment? The coming days will reveal, and failure is a luxury we cannot afford.
Dr. Zaher Baadarani
Presidency office
Article
Syrian Future Movement
