Trump teases removing Syria from terrorism sponsor list
President Donald Trump indicated he might remove Syria from the State Department’s list of State Sponsors of Terrorism during a press conference with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, praising Sharaa’s leadership. Syria has been on the list since 1979, resulting in sanctions and an aid ban, but removal could boost investment and U.S. influence in the Middle East. A bipartisan congressional letter recently urged the removal, citing Syria’s efforts against terrorism and the ousting of Bashar assad. Trump also praised al Sharaa’s achievements in stabilizing Syria amid ongoing concerns about regional security. Additionally, Trump discussed Iran, suggesting no ground invasion would be necessary to address nuclear issues and expressing intent to consider removing syria from the terror list to aid normalization efforts and strategic interests.
President Donald Trump suggested he would remove Syria from the State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism list during a bilateral press conference with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa at the annual NATO summit.
“I think I will,” Trump told reporters Wednesday while in Ankara, Turkey. “Why wouldn’t I? He’s done a great job.”
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“Any problems with that?” Trump said, turning to his advisers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “I think we should.”
Syria is among four nations on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, including Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. It earned that designation in 1979, leading to severe sanctions and a ban on U.S. assistance.
But if it were removed from the list, it could help normalize private-sector investment in Syria and help the U.S. gain more of a foothold in the Middle East.
Just last week, a bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers urged Rubio in a letter to remove Syria from the list, citing the ouster of former President Bashar Assad.
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“Since the fall of the Assad regime, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and the new Syrian government have demonstrated continued commitment to counterterrorism operations within Syria,” wrote Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).
Trump also heaped praise on al Sharaa during the bilateral meeting in Turkey.
“He’s done a really fantastic job as president, he’s unified the country in a very short period of time,” Trump said. “I’d say like a year and a half, about a year and a half, and right from the beginning it was a real mess, very disjointed place, and he’s brought it together.”
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