The Washington Post stated that Syria is experiencing economic decline and its security is at risk, indicating that the United States could save this country, which is on the verge of becoming a failed state, by lifting sanctions, even if only temporarily.
The newspaper stated in its editorial that Syria, more than three months after the overthrow of the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, remains in a desperate situation. 14 years of civil war have devastated its economy, with 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line, and approximately 16.5 million people relying on humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs.
The new government is still struggling to impose security, facing remnants of armed supporters of the ousted regime, an escalation in kidnappings and killings, and Israeli airstrikes targeting weapons depots, the newspaper said.
Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa faces enormous challenges, such as fixing the economic chaos, establishing security, and preventing the country from fragmenting along sectarian lines. He needs all possible assistance, and the United States can do that, according to the newspaper, by immediately lifting the US economic sanctions that are hindering Syria's recovery.
The United States first imposed sanctions on Syria in 1979, due to its occupation of Lebanon and support for Hezbollah. President George W. Bush added more sanctions, declaring Syria part of the "axis of evil" for possessing banned chemical weapons. Sanctions were tightened after the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. In 2019, the Caesar Act was passed, expanding the scope of "secondary sanctions" to include non-US entities.
Reluctance due to US sanctions
Syria sanctions, supported by Britain, the European Union, and other countries, are among the toughest in the world. They have crippled the Syrian economy, but have only marginally affected Assad and his entourage due to Russia and drugs.
Indeed, as the newspaper reports, some countries have eased specific sanctions to allow the new rulers to restore the country's health. The European Union suspended sanctions on the energy, banking, and transportation sectors. Britain lifted sanctions on 24 Syrian entities and unfroze the assets of the Syrian Central Bank. Canada allowed funds to reach Syrian banks.
However, Syria has not yet seen a significant influx of financial aid and foreign investment due to the continued strict US sanctions. Gulf states remain reluctant to provide assistance for fear of violating US law.
Al-Sharaa called for the lifting of sanctions and took some positive steps, signing an agreement to integrate the US-backed Kurdish-led militia into the National Security Service. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed this step but demanded that the government hold accountable those who perpetrated the "massacre" against the Alawites.
Syrian and international relief organizations, human rights organizations, and American Jews who fled Syria decades ago and wish to return to restore ancient synagogues have called on the Trump administration to ease the sanctions.
Although the United States has justification for its caution, the newspaper concludes, it can, without spending a single dollar, prevent Syria from becoming a failed state by temporarily lifting sanctions.
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