Between 18 and 22 September 2025, relations between Syria’s new government and the United States witnessed a marked diplomatic shift. A series of official contacts and initiatives were launched to open dialogue on long-standing American sanctions, including the “Caesar Act”.
These developments represent a partial end to Syria’s prolonged international isolation, opening significant economic and reconstruction prospects, from the restoration of financial links to attracting foreign investment. Yet realising these opportunities depends on meeting conditions that Washington considers essential.
During his visit to Washington, Syria’s interim minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Shaybani presided over the raising of the Syrian flag at the embassy building and held meetings with legislators and senior US officials. Discussions focused on the potential lifting or easing of sanctions such as the Caesar Act, alongside the reopening of embassies and banking channels. US and regional reports indicated that the talks placed legal and financial restrictions at the centre of the agenda, with some lawmakers pressing for accompanying political and security benchmarks.
On Sunday, Syria’s interim president Al-Sharaa arrived in the United States to attend both UN and bilateral meetings — the first visit of its kind in decades. In public remarks, he underlined that Syria “knows how to fight but no longer wants war”, suggesting that an understanding, even an agreement, with Israel had become possible, perhaps inevitable. The comments generated widespread reaction. Regionally, rapprochement with Washington stirred concerns over potential pushback from Russia and Iran, while Gulf states and Turkey appeared more receptive, welcoming Damascus as a potential future partner.
Economic and Diplomatic Openings
Easing sanctions would pave the way for reconstruction and foreign investment. Removing restrictions such as the Caesar Act could unlock access for international firms, restore banking activity via the global financial system, and accelerate recovery in key sectors including oil, agriculture, and infrastructure. Re-establishing embassies and ambassadorial exchanges would also return Syria to diplomatic forums, further reducing its isolation. Opportunities could also emerge to resolve border and security disputes and to mobilise the Syrian diaspora as a source of early financing and entrepreneurial activity.
Dr Firas Shaabo, Professor of Financial Management at Başakşehir University in Istanbul, told +963 that the visit was primarily political but with clear economic dimensions:
“After years of international isolation, political and diplomatic engagement with Syria is inevitably accompanied by economic opportunities. This serves as a pathway to international legitimacy and the gradual removal of sanctions. Opening the political track provides Syria with access to projects, financing, and foreign investment. Sanctions have been a major obstacle, but overcoming them will require serious planning, legislation, and governance reforms to revive the economy.”
He added that Washington’s conditions are largely security-related: combating terrorism, confronting Iranian networks, curbing drug trafficking and terrorist financing, and managing the Israeli border; alongside domestic obligations such as defence reform, human rights, and transparency in reconstruction.
Related: Syria’s FM in Washington: Talks on Sanctions, Reconstruction, and a Deal with Israel
Challenges and Risks
The challenges remain formidable. Lifting sanctions is conditional on meeting security commitments, containing Iranian influence, and ensuring accountability in reconstruction funding. Russia and Iran may also interpret rapprochement with Washington as a direct threat to their regional interests, potentially complicating Syria’s balancing act.
Domestically, governance and human rights standards will be closely scrutinised by Western capitals. Any progress risks fragility if US political priorities shift, underscoring the need for durable agreements rather than temporary arrangements.
Policy recommendations emphasise a phased, transparent negotiation framework for sanctions relief, the passage of robust transparency laws, mechanisms to safeguard reconstruction funds, regional security cooperation, and strategies to reconnect Syrian banks to the international financial system. At the same time, regional dialogue will be needed to mitigate tensions with Moscow and Tehran.
Dr Shaabo further noted that the visits help reset regional dynamics, especially regarding Turkey, Israel, Russia, and Iran, alongside internal files such as relations with the Syrian Democratic Forces. Gulf states are expected to welcome closer Syrian–US ties, having been among the first to encourage such a rapprochement.
He characterised the visits by al-Sharaa and al-Shaybani as:
“A strategic shift in Syrian foreign policy, not merely a tactical manoeuvre. The goal is reintegration into the international system through sanctions relief and financial normalisation. But this requires concrete agreements on the ground and enduring strategic commitments, not arrangements vulnerable to shifts in US administrations.”
Strategic Significance
Ihsan al-Khatib, Professor of Political Science at Murray State University, Kentucky, told +963 that the United States remains the global capital of decision-making:
“Engagement with Washington is not a choice, it is a necessity. A new page has opened in Syrian–American relations. The US now recognises a Syria that seeks to be a normal state rather than a source of destruction, especially on terrorism and narcotics. The Trump administration sees the new Syrian leadership as pragmatic and steering the country in the right direction.”
He added that Syria possesses abundant natural and human resources:
“The Syrian people are historically entrepreneurial, the country is rich in subterranean wealth and agriculture, and it has strong tourism potential. These foundations give Syria the capacity to recover without heavy reliance on external aid.”
Al-Khatib noted that Washington holds no fixed blueprint for Syria’s internal arrangements, particularly on minorities and human rights, but that Damascus’ vision of a united state inclusive of all groups broadly aligns with American preferences. Israel, however, remains an obstacle, despite overlap in many regional priorities.
He concluded:
“The world wants Syria to succeed after the fall of Assad and the removal of Iran’s influence. Stability in Syria means stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The two actors intent on undermining this are Israel and Iran: the former benefitted from Assad’s regime, while the latter lost its regional project with the new Syria. Globally, there is consensus that Syria must not revert to exporting terrorism or narcotics.
“There is no neutrality in today’s world: the West leads, America commands. Syria’s natural place is with the Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia, Washington’s key ally, alongside Egypt’s weight and Turkey’s search for balanced ties. This is the strategic direction of the new Syrian leadership.”
