U.S. Removes Syria from Terrorism Blacklist, Backing New Leader Sharaa
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The United States announced it will remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the U.S. Congress of the decision, which becomes final in 45 days unless lawmakers vote to stop it, something considered highly unlikely.
This designation had made it legally risky for American and international businesses to operate in Syria, badly limiting the country's ability to attract investment and rebuild its economy after years of civil war.
The announcement came alongside a notable diplomatic moment: President Donald Trump met Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey. Sharaa is a former jihadist fighter who has repositioned himself as a statesman since the Assad family, which had ruled Syria for fifty years, was overthrown in 2024.
Trump praised Sharaa's efforts to bring the war-torn country together, calling the previous government under Bashar al-Assad a disaster. Rubio said Sharaa gave formal assurances that Syria would not support international terrorism going forward, which helped justify the delisting.
Syria had earned the terrorism label originally because it sheltered Palestinian militant groups and was linked to attacks such as a 1986 plot to bomb an Israeli airline flight. In more recent decades, the designation was tied to the Assad government's close ties with Iran and its support for Hezbollah, an armed political movement in Lebanon.
The decision is not without friction. Israel, which sees Syria as a longstanding adversary and has carried out airstrikes there, has expressed unease about Washington's warming relationship with Sharaa. Trump had earlier pushed for Syria and Israel to make peace, but he proceeded with the delisting even though no real progress has been made on that front.
With Syria off the list, only three countries remain classified as state sponsors of terrorism: Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. Cuba's inclusion, added during Trump's first term, remains a point of controversy internationally.
Going forward, removing this designation is expected to open the door for foreign trade and investment in Syria, giving the country a genuine chance to rebuild after the destruction caused by years of conflict, the rise of the Islamic State extremist group, and a massive refugee crisis.
Why it matters
This decision marks a major shift in how the United States treats Syria after decades of isolation, and it signals real trust being placed in a leader who was once a militant fighter. Removing the terrorism label could unlock badly needed foreign investment and trade, helping Syria recover from years of war, extremism, and displacement. At the same time, it highlights tension in U.S. alliances, since Israel remains wary of Syria's new leadership and the broader regional balance involving Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah. How this relationship develops could shape stability across the Middle East for years to come.
Test yourself
1. What major decision did the United States announce regarding Syria?
2. Since which year had Syria been listed as a state sponsor of terrorism before this decision?
3. Who is Ahmed al-Sharaa?
4. Who announced the delisting decision to Congress?
5. How long does Congress have to potentially block the delisting before it takes effect?
6. Which country's government was overthrown in 2024, leading to Sharaa's rise to power?
7. Which countries remain on the U.S. terrorism blacklist after Syria's removal?
8. Why was Syria originally designated a state sponsor of terrorism?
9. Which country has expressed concern over the U.S. warming relations with Syria's new government?
10. What benefit does Secretary Rubio say the delisting will bring to Syria?
Your notes
Source: The Hindu