The US policy towards Syria under the Interim Government is under constant review, with Washington assessing the situation and making decisions that align with its regional strategy. The Biden administration has emphasized the importance of forming an inclusive civilian government in Syria, reflecting its commitment to a comprehensive political transition that would stabilize the country.
In January 2025, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, reaffirmed American support for a peaceful political transition towards an accountable government, as underscoring Washigton’s broader efforts to promote stability in crisis-hit regions, including Syria.
Washington has signalled a willingness to ease some sanctions imposed on Syria to improve humanitarian conditions and enhance security in Syrian cities. However, these measures remain conditional on progress in specific political and security areas, as confirmed by the Secretary-General of the United States Senate, Jim Risch. This approach reflects an ongoing internal debate on Washington’s effectiveness of sanctions in achieving policy objectives without exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
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Despite Washigton’s stated commitment to supporting a political transition, America’s policy towards Syria remains hesitant and ambiguous. While the US promotes a political solution, it continues to impose sanctions and economic pressure on Damascus, monitoring previous administrations’ strategies that, focused on applying pressure without offering concrete solutions.
Furthermore, Washington appears more focused on its strategic interests, such as combating terrorism and limiting Iranian influence, rather than achieving a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
In a notable development, the new US administration has begun acknowledging Syria’s new leadership, expressing its willingness to share intelligence with the interim Syrian government to address security threats. This shift signals a potential change in American policy, though details of this cooperation remain unclear. The US administration has welcomed some steps taken by the interim government in Damascus to provide essential services while stressing the need to prevent further deterioration of humanitarian conditions.
Nevertheless, the continued imposition of sanctions underscores a contradiction in US policy, as economic pressure persists without a clear, comprehensive plan to resolve the crisis.
According to political analyst Bashar Ali al-Haj Ali, US policies have significantly impacted Syria’s political and security landscape, though not always positively.
American support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has contributed to some security stability and efforts to combat ISIS but has simultaneously heightened tensions with the Syrian government and Turkey, further complicating the political landscape.
In a statement published in the fourth issue of the printed edition of +963, Haj Ali argued that US sanctions have worsened the economic and humanitarian crisis, negatively affecting the Syrian population and hindering reconstruction efforts. While the sanctions were intended to pressure the Syrian regime, they have failed to produce a comprehensive political settlement and have instead increased civilian suffering.
Haj Ali also noted that Washington’s approach to the Syrian conflict has been driven primarily by its strategic interests, including counterterrorism efforts, curbing Iranian influence, and protecting Israel’s security. Despite discussions about easing sanctions for humanitarian reasons, sanctions remain a tool of political pressure serving American geopolitical goals. He concluded that US policies have not contributed to a lasting resolution of the Syrian crisis but have instead deepened instability and complexity.
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political economist Ahmed al-Zayn echoed similar concerns, stating that the US administration’s efforts to support a peaceful political transition in Syria remain insufficient. He emphasized that meaningful progress requires close cooperation with Russia, given Moscow’s pivotal role in Syria.
An upcoming meeting between the US and Russian presidents is expected to strengthen these efforts and advance discussions on Syria to a more serious level. In his statement, published in the fourth issue of +963, Zayn stressed the importance of easing sanctions to improve economic conditions, which could facilitate the return of displaced persons. However, he noted that for sanctions relief to be effective, the Syrian state must regain authority over its entire territory to prevent the misuse of lifted sanctions for political gains.
Regarding the future of US-Syrian relations, Zayn observed that the current US administration has begun re-establishing communication channels with the Syrian government after a prolonged diplomatic freeze under the previous administration. He predicted that the coming months would see increased cooperation between the two sides, particularly in the exchange of security intelligence. He further emphasized that Syria’s political and security stability is crucial for broader Middle East stability.
