Momentum builds for Israel-Syria peace as Trump reboots regional diplomacy
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting most U.S. sanctions on Syria, in a move experts say reflects growing recognition inside the administration that Syria, long a battleground for Iranian influence and Islamist terror, may now offer the U.S. a rare opportunity to reclaim regional leverage, counter enemies, and support allies like Israel and Jordan.

At a White House press briefing Monday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “This is another promise made and promise kept by this president,” she said, referring to Trump’s recent meeting with Syria’s new transitional leader Ahmed al-Sharaa during a trip to Saudi Arabia. “He’s committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors.”

“The sanctions did their job,” David Schenker, former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs and now a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, told Fox News Digital. “They were crippling by and large. There’s zero economic life in the country. But Trump is giving Syria a chance to succeed.”

He said, however, that deeper U.S.-Syrian cooperation could bring new complications. “There’s always a risk that as ties deepen, either the U.S. could reduce its presence – or al-Sharaa might ask us to scale back,” Ali said. “That could impact our ability to monitor jihadist activity or manage the tens of thousands of ISIS detainees still in camps guarded by SDF forces.”

Meanwhile, the diplomatic implications of Trump’s move are drawing global attention. Syria’s new leadership has publicly distanced itself from Iran, reportedly blocked Hezbollah weapon shipments, and dismantled multiple Iranian military posts across the country.

“The president is genuinely focused on expanding the Abraham Accords,” said Schenker. “He sees Syria as the next possible candidate.”

NSC spokesman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. “President Trump is working towards lasting peace in the Middle East, which includes supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors. The President is empowering Syria’s success by lifting sanctions on export controls while maintaining sanctions on terrorists and all other potential threats to the United States. The President made a promise to give Syria a chance to rebuild and thrive by lifting sanctions, and this President keeps his promises.”

Islamic State militant holds ISIS flag in a desert setting

A masked Islamic State terrorist holds the ISIS flag in 2015. (Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Still, normalization with Israel remains politically fraught. Syria remains officially at war with the Jewish state, and while Sharaa has hinted at accepting the pre-1974 ceasefire lines, jihadist factions and Islamist groups within Syria remain staunchly opposed. “There have already been reported assassination attempts on Sharaa,” Schenker said. “It’s going to get harder if he moves from non-belligerency to full normalization.”

Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute, told Fox News Digital, “Syria has always been an open wound in the center of the region – an engine of instability… But if it stabilizes now, it unlocks a path for broader regional integration. It connects Israel and Jordan to a more secure arc and reduces the need for heavy U.S. military involvement.”

Syrians gather to celebrate

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus on Dec. 9, 2024. (Murat Sengul/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Despite encouraging signs on the diplomatic track – such as reported back-channel talks and reduced rhetoric – Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory have continued, with hundreds launched this year alone. Syria’s new leadership has not responded militarily, but tensions remain high.

“The facts on the ground don’t yet reflect the progress being made behind closed doors,” Lister said. “We just have to hope that those two dynamics meet in the middle, and things calm down on the ground as well.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump announces trade deal with Vietnam ahead of tariff pause deadline

Trump announces agreement with Vietnam on trade before deadline to pause tariffs

In April, Trump had threatened to hit Vietnamese imports with a 46%…
Insider reveals the TRUTH about Ryan Seacrest's new pictures

Insider spills secrets about Ryan Seacrest’s latest photos

Ryan Seacrest shocked his fans when he shared a series of Instagram…
Diddy denied bail after being found guilty of prostitution

Diddy Refused Bail After Conviction for Prostitution

Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail and will remain in the jail…
FDA issues urgent recall for blueberries over listeria concerns

FDA Urgently Recalls Blueberries Due to Listeria Concerns

The FDA has upgraded its warning about potentially deadly blueberries, indicating a…
Lily Allen 'can't remember' how many abortions she's had

Lily Allen cannot recall how many abortions she has undergone

Lily Allen candidly admitted that she “can’t remember” how many abortions she’s…
Michael Madsen death: Actor, Chicago native known for roles in 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Kill Bill' films, dies at 67

Actor Michael Madsen from Chicago passes away at 67, known for his roles in ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ films

MALIBU, Calif. — Actor Michael Madsen, known for roles in “Reservoir Dogs”…
Republicans in final sprint to push Trump megabill to floor vote

Republicans rushing to bring Trump’s major bill to a final vote

WASHINGTON () House Republicans were preparing to vote Thursday on President Donald…
A Q-Tip and spotless car were key evidence linking Bryan Kohberger to murders of 4 Idaho students

Link Between Q-Tip and Clean Car Crucial in Connecting Bryan Kohberger to Murders of 4 Idaho Students

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The lead prosecutor tasked with finding justice for…