I just returned from my second trip to Syria after the unexpected fall of the brutal and corrupt regime of Bashar al-Assad. Three months after Assad’s fall, the economic situation is still dire, the political status quo is precarious, and the Syrian people continue to suffer. The initial jubilation among the majority of the population, though still strong, has diminished amid tough realities.
There is a serious risk of further division in the fragile country, which would create more chaos in the region and beyond. Over the past week, we have seen a disturbing new surge in violence between the forces of Syria’s new government and gunmen loyal to the Assad regime. The fighting reportedly killed more than 1,300 people. While the fighting mostly happened in Syria’s coastal region, the situation is still volatile in the country’s south and northeast — where American troops are stationed — and in the rural regions of Homs and Hama.
A recent World Food Programme report found that more than half of Syria’s population — 12.9 million people — are food insecure, with about three million facing acute hunger. Malnutrition, especially in children, weakens the immune system and can lead to a range of health problems.
To support Syria’s fragile transition to stability, US President Donald Trump’s administration must lift its sanctions on the Syrian banking system and economy. These sanctions, while intended to pressure the Assad regime, have disproportionately harmed ordinary Syrians, stifling economic recovery and deterring international investment. By removing these barriers, the US can empower the Syrian people to rebuild their lives and prevent another wave of refugees and violence.
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For more than 14 years, the world has watched Syria unravel into one of the most catastrophic humanitarian crises of our time. What began as peaceful protests during the Arab Spring quickly devolved into a brutal war that claimed over 600,000 lives, displaced 16 million people, and unleashed a refugee crisis that destabilized neighboring countries and reverberated across Europe. Today, one in five refugees worldwide is Syrian. The conflict birthed ISIS, stained Syria with the stigma of extremism, and allowed the Assad regime to commit atrocities on an industrial scale — chemical weapons, barrel bombs, sieges, and medieval-style torture became tools of terror.
The international community failed Syria. Russian and Chinese vetoes in the United Nations Security Council shielded the Assad regime from accountability, while the US and its allies prioritized regional stability over human rights. Presidents Barack Obama, Trump, and Joe Biden all grappled with the Syrian crisis but fell short of addressing its root causes. Instead, sanctions imposed on Syria’s banking system and economy have exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Syrians, pushing 90% of the population below the poverty line and crippling any chance of recovery.
The international community failed Syria.
Now, as Syria stands at a crossroads, the US has an opportunity to rectify its past failures. The fall of the Assad regime, following a swift military campaign by opposition forces, has opened a window for change. Refugees are beginning to return home — about 300,000 in the last three months, and internally displaced Syrians are reclaiming their villages and cities. Yet the challenges remain immense.
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The economy is in free fall, with an average monthly salary of $25 — enough to buy food for just two days. The healthcare system is in ruins, and half the country lies in rubble. The average monthly family income is insufficient to even afford bread — the cornerstone of Syrian meals — leaving many households struggling to meet their most basic needs. Every young Syrian doctor I met is thinking of leaving the country, a brain drain that will undoubtedly undermine Syria’s future and its health.
The Syrian American diaspora, a resourceful and committed community, stands ready to contribute to reconstruction efforts. But sanctions that restrict financial transactions and humanitarian aid hinders their ability to help. Lifting these sanctions would unlock critical resources and expertise, enabling Syrians to rebuild their economy and infrastructure.
At the same time, the US should reconsider its designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as terrorists. While HTS has a controversial past, it has undergone significant transformation in recent years and now plays a key role in maintaining stability in parts of Syria. Delisting HTS and removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list would signal a new chapter in US-Syria relations and encourage regional cooperation.
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The new Syrian administration, led by a reformed president with roots in the Islamist movement, has sent positive signals to minority groups and neighboring countries. It has expressed a commitment to peace, reconciliation, and non-interference in regional affairs. This presents an opportunity for the US to lead an international conference on rebuilding Syria, mobilizing the estimated $400 billion needed for reconstruction.
Rebuilding Syria will not be easy. The road to recovery will be fraught with challenges, but it is a moral imperative. By lifting sanctions, advocating for representative government, supporting transitional justice, and fostering economic recovery, the US can help Syrians reclaim their future. Stability in Syria will not only benefit its people but also contribute to global security by preventing another refugee crisis and curbing extremism.
The time to act is now. The US must seize this moment to support a stable, prosperous Syria — one that values equality, freedom, and justice. The world cannot afford to fail Syria again.
