US Grants 180-Day Sanctions Waiver to Syria for Reconstruction

The Trump administration has announced a 180-day waiver, known as GL 25, easing U.S. sanctions on Syria as part of an effort to stabilize the country and support reconstruction after more than a decade of civil war. This relief aims to facilitate the provision of essential services like electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and to enable more effective humanitarian aid. The sanctions relief is conditional upon Syrian leaders ensuring that their territory is not used as a safe haven for terrorist organizations and that religious and ethnic minorities are protected. The administration is debating whether to impose tough security conditions on Syria's transitional government, which overthrew Bashar al-Assad and seeks to build an inclusive government friendly to the West. While some officials advocate for rapid lifting or waivers of sanctions, others support a phased approach tied to Syria meeting specific conditions, reflecting the complexity of unwinding longstanding penalties imposed by Congress and executive actions. The decision marks the first step toward fulfilling President Trump's pledge to end decades of sanctions, though the long-term extent of relief remains uncertain amid ongoing internal debate.