US Signals Diplomatic Thaw With Syria

The United States has raised its flag at the ambassador's residence in Damascus for the first time since 2012, signaling a major thaw with Syria’s new government following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024. U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack praised Syria's interim administration and called for renewed dialogue with Israel, suggesting peace is achievable. President Trump has lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria after meeting with new president Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist insurgent leader. The U.S. has also announced plans to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, pending congressional review. These steps have been welcomed by Syrian officials as opportunities for national recovery and regional stability. The reopening of the ambassador’s residence is seen as a precursor to restoring full diplomatic ties.