The United States has presented Syria with a list of demands that must be met for partial sanctions relief. This includes ensuring that foreigners do not hold senior positions in the Syrian government. The details emerged from a meeting between US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria, Natasha Franceschi, and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during a donor conference in Brussels on March 18.
This meeting marks the first direct high-level contact between the US and Syria since Donald Trump became president. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the US wants Syria to destroy any remaining chemical weapons and cooperate on counterterrorism efforts. Another key demand is the assurance that foreign fighters will not be appointed to important government roles. This is particularly relevant as Syria has already included some foreign ex-rebels in its defense ministry, which has raised concerns among other nations.
Additionally, the US has requested that Syria appoint a liaison to help locate Austin Tice, a US journalist who has been missing in Syria for over ten years. In exchange for fulfilling these conditions, the US has indicated it would consider easing some sanctions, although the specifics of this relief and any timeline for compliance were not disclosed.
Syria is in urgent need of sanctions relief to revive an economy devastated by nearly 14 years of conflict. During this time, the US, UK, and European nations have imposed strict sanctions aimed at pressuring the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad. While some sanctions have been temporarily eased, the impact has been limited. A recent US license allowed for some humanitarian aid, but it has not been enough to enable significant financial transactions.
Syrian officials, including al-Shibani and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, have called for a complete lifting of sanctions, arguing it is unjust to maintain them after the fall of Assad’s regime.
This recent diplomatic engagement reflects a shift in the US approach to Syria, as the Trump administration appears to be clarifying its policy. While some officials advocate for a hardline stance due to concerns over the new Syrian leadership’s past ties to extremist groups, others in the State Department are pushing for a more balanced strategy that allows for potential cooperation.
The US’s stance is also influenced by regional dynamics, as Israel has been lobbying for a weakened and decentralized Syria. While the Biden administration is not fully aligned with Israel’s approach, some of its concerns are resonating with US officials.
As the situation develops, the outcome of this diplomatic engagement remains uncertain, but it could significantly impact the future of US-Syria relations and the overall stability in the region.