The US removed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from a terrorist sanctions list ahead of his meeting with President Trump, signaling a shift in US-Syria relations. This matters as it may facilitate Syria's economic and political reintegration post-civil war.

In a significant diplomatic move, the United States has lifted sanctions against Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former fighter previously linked to al-Qaeda, ahead of his scheduled meeting with President Trump. This decision, made by the US Department of the Treasury, comes as part of a broader strategy to facilitate Syria's recovery and reintegration into the international community following the civil war and the removal of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The United Nations Security Council also voted to remove al-Sharaa from its sanctions list, indicating a shift in the international stance towards Syria. The US Congress is actively working to repeal additional sanctions that remain in place, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee expressing support for these changes. This diplomatic thaw is seen as a crucial step towards rebuilding Syria's economy and fostering political stability in the region.