During his address at the Saudi-US Investment Forum held in Riyadh, President Donald Trump announced a significant shift in American foreign policy by declaring an end to sanctions imposed on Syria throughout its violent civil war under Bashar Assad's authoritarian leadership.
This is a major policy reversal that comes after Assad's December flight from the country and takeover by current Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
"I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," Trump stated, generating applause from those in attendance. The president mentioned that he had consulted with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding this diplomatic move.
The president characterized the economic restrictions as having been "brutal and crippling," while acknowledging they had fulfilled an essential purpose. Trump expressed that now is Syria's "time to shine."
