Shafaq News – Washington
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack confirmed on Thursday thatlifting sanctions on Damascus will be a gradual process, emphasizing that realprogress depends on the credibility of the new government.
Speaking with Shafaq News, Barrack explained that the sanctionsframework—covering the Caesar Act, a US law targeting Syria for war-relatedhuman rights violations, the Countering America’s Adversaries Through SanctionsAct (CAATSA), which restricts dealings with states considered threats to USsecurity, and measures linked to the F-35 fighter jet program that limitmilitary sales and cooperation with sanctioned states—requires closecoordination between Congress and the White House. He acknowledged that abreakthrough remains possible, but underlined that in Washington, such stepsrarely move quickly.
Sanctions initially designed to target the al-Assad government nowprevent the new authorities from demonstrating credibility, according to Barrack.The leadership, which replaced former President Bashar al-Assad after hisouster in December 2024, lacks the resources to meet even basic obligationssuch as paying civil servants, he explained, adding, “Although Qatar haspledged financial support, banks cannot transfer the money without violatingrestrictions.”
The Caesar Act, he confirmed, continues to discourage investors,since exemptions lasting only 180 days do not provide the stability needed toattract large-scale commitments, leaving businesses wary of sudden policyreversals. The envoy highlighted ongoing efforts with Congress to “build trust”and create conditions for American, European, and Gulf partners to assist theSyrian government.
Read more: Beyond Sanctions: New chapter for Syria, new opportunities for Iraq
Sanctions on Syria were first imposed in 1979 and expandedsignificantly after the outbreak of war in 2011, restricting the al-Assadregime over widespread alleged abuses. Following al-Assad’s fall last year, thenew leadership called for relief, prompting the US Department of State in May 2025to issue a 180-day exemption under the Caesar Act. The measure easedrestrictions on several Syrian institutions in line with President DonaldTrump’s pledge to support stability and encourage investment, while ensuringthat no benefit would reach entities linked to terrorism or the former regime.
For Shafaq News, Mostafa Hashem, Washington, D.C.
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