Trump lifts most US sanctions on Syria
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order lifting most American sanctions on Syria, a significant step for the country's post-Assad government as it seeks to rebuild after years of war.
The order lifts sanctions except those linked to the family of former president Bashar al-Assad and their associates. It marks a major shift in US policy toward Syria's transitional government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which took power after Assad's fall.
Syria faces an enormous reconstruction task, with the World Bank estimating the cost at close to $216 billion. Rather than relying on international loans and aid, al-Sharaa's government has said it will prioritise foreign investment, telling potential backers it has chosen the path of reconstruction through investment.
Since coming to power, the government has announced tens of billions of dollars in investment deals, including in energy infrastructure such as power plants and pipelines. The European Union has also pledged a substantial financial assistance package to support the recovery.
The lifting of sanctions removes a major obstacle to investment and reintegration into the global economy. But formidable challenges remain, from rebuilding state institutions and security forces to extending the government's authority and reconciling a fractured society.
