Why It Matters

The Trump administration's move to lift sanctions on Syria represents a fundamental reversal of decades-old counterterrorism policy, with significant implications for Congress and U.S. foreign policy. The State Department frames the rescission as a historic step to empower Syria's new government following Assad's fall. Yet the policy shift occurs amid ongoing terrorist activity: extremist groups continue to attack religious and ethnic minorities, transitional government forces, and U.S. personnel in Syria, though they do not control significant territory.

Three distinct statutes govern how Syria's designation can be rescinded: Section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, Section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and Section 1754(c) of the Export Controls Act of 2018. There are questions about whether the Arms Export Control Act's mechanism for blocking a rescission applies to Syria, since Syria's designation falls under the Export Controls Act of 2018.

The Big Picture

The State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) designation was carried forward under Section 1768 of the Export Controls Act of 2018, establishing continuity across multiple regulatory regimes. For decades, Syria under the Al Asad family's government, provided support to U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations. The designation served as a potential deterrent to investment in Syria.

In 2025, Congress and the Trump Administration removed or suspended comprehensive U.S. sanctions on Syria. The administration amended or revoked foundational executive orders implementing U.S. sanctions while preserving authority to impose new sanctions on individuals involved in serious human rights abuses. The executive branch has been directed to take all appropriate action on related terrorism designations as part of the Syria policy review.

Congressional sentiment splits, and not always along party lines. Some Members of Congress have supported executive and legislative actions to suspend or remove sanctions on Syria and its current leaders. Others have sought to ensure that Syria's transitional leaders preserve the safety and respect the rights of minorities in Syria, while additional Members have sought to address concerns about foreign fighters present in Syria. In repealing the Caesar Act, Congress required the executive branch to provide regular reports to Congress on conditions in Syria, including on the Syrian government's performance relative to counterterrorism, minority protection, regional security, governance, human rights, and counternarcotics benchmarks.

Bottom Line

The Trump Administration's rescission of Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation marks a significant policy shift following the fall of the Assad regime, now in political exile in Moscow. While the transitional government has renounced ties to terrorist organizations and joined international counterterrorism efforts, Congress remains divided on the move. The legal framework governing the rescission involves three separate statutes with unclear procedural requirements, and Congress has imposed new reporting requirements to monitor Syrian government performance on counterterrorism, minority protection, and human rights. The outcome will depend on both executive implementation and congressional oversight in the coming months.

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