politics
Washington should have kept its Syria leverage
The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as the Trump administration seeks to shape an emerging new order in the Middle East. But in its eagerness to seize that opportunity, it may have surrendered its leverage prematurely.
TL;DR
- The U.S. removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and Hay'at Tahrir al Sham from its list of terrorist groups.
- These actions are part of the Trump administration's effort to shape a new Middle East order.
- Syria was first designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 due to its support for various militant groups and its alliance with the Soviet Union.
- Bashar Assad was recently ousted by forces led by Ahmed al Sharaa, with the U.S. seeing an opportunity to reset relations.
- The U.S. hopes to gain influence with the new Syrian leadership, allied with Turkey, a NATO member.
- Critics argue that the U.S. surrendered its leverage prematurely by removing sanctions relief, instead of using it as a condition for good behavior from al Sharaa and Turkish President Erdogan.