US President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, announcing the lifting of long-standing US sanctions on Syria. The move, reported on May 14, has sparked

jubilation in Damascus, where citizens see it as an end to 15 years of international isolation. The decision coincides with a $600 billion Saudi investment commitment to the US, raising questions about economic motives behind the diplomatic shift.

Trump’s meeting, part of a Gulf tour, was televised across Syria, with images of al-Sharaa alongside US and Saudi leaders symbolizing a new era. For Syrians, the sanctions relief could revive industries like Damascus’s mother-of-pearl crafts, which have suffered from a lack of tourism. However, the move has critics. Some argue it legitimizes a regime with a controversial human rights record, while others see it as a pragmatic step to counter Russian and Iranian influence in the region.

The sanctions lift is part of Trump’s broader Middle East strategy, which includes a $96 billion Qatar Airways deal for Boeing aircraft. The timing suggests a coordinated effort to bolster US economic and geopolitical interests. Yet, the lack of transparency about the terms of the sanctions relief fuels skepticism. Will the benefits reach ordinary Syrians, or will they be siphoned off by elites? The establishment narrative frames this as a diplomatic triumph, but the risk of unintended consequences looms large.

Syria’s reintegration into the global community could reshape regional dynamics, but stability is far from guaranteed. The move may also signal a shift in US foreign policy under Trump, prioritizing economic deals over ideological battles. Observers await details on how Syria will navigate its newfound openness. Photo by anjči from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.