U.S. Moves to Remove Syria From State Sponsors of Terrorism List After 47 Years

U.S. Moves to Remove Syria From State Sponsors of Terrorism List After 47 Years

After nearly 47 years, the United States is moving to remove Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, marking a potentially historic shift in Washington’s policy toward Damascus.

Today, August 22, marks the end of the 45-day period given to the U.S. Congress to review the Trump administration’s decision. During that period, Congress had the opportunity to block the move, but so far, lawmakers have taken no action to prevent it.

The United States placed Syria on the list in 1979, during the presidency of Hafez al-Assad. Its removal now under the Trump administration could represent a major turning point in Syria’s relations with Washington and the international community.

For Damascus, the change could also remove one of the major obstacles to Syria’s economic recovery. Ending the designation could make it easier for Syria to rebuild its economy, expand international trade, attract foreign investment and reconnect with global financial markets.

The move comes as Syria seeks to emerge from decades of isolation and rebuild its institutions and economy, making the decision one of the most significant changes in U.S. policy toward the country in nearly half a century.