Trump Takes Bold Step to End Syria Sanctions—A New Chapter or Dangerous Gamble?

In a move that has stunned many Washington observers, President Donald Trump signed an executive order officially dismantling broad sanctions against Syria. Announced earlier this year following discussions with the Damascus regime, this bold pivot signals a potentially seismic shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. While the executive order retains sanctions on Bashar al-Assad personally—as well as on known human rights violators, chemical weapons actors, ISIS affiliates, and Iranian-linked entities—it relaxes export controls and lifts key restrictions on foreign aid. The administration claims this will support reconstruction efforts and counterterrorism cooperation without empowering dangerous players. What the...