WASHINGTON D.C. – The United States has announced a partial, 180-day suspension of economic sanctions on Syria following a historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, November 10, 2025. The summit, the first between leaders of the two nations in Washington since Syria's independence in 1946, marks a significant diplomatic shift nearly a year after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.

President Trump praised al-Sharaa in the Oval Office, telling reporters, “He’s a very strong leader. He comes from a very tough place. Tough guy... we’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful.” The meeting caps a dramatic turnaround for al-Sharaa, who formerly led the al-Qaeda-aligned rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head before his forces toppled the Assad government.

Following the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the temporary waiver of sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. This act had crippled Syria's economy by targeting its energy and construction sectors to deter foreign investment. The suspension aims to “support Syria's efforts to rebuild its economy, restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace,” according to a State Department press release issued on Monday. However, the relief explicitly excludes any transactions involving the governments of Russia and Iran.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

While geographically distant, this major shift in U.S. foreign policy carries potential economic and security implications for Kenya and the broader East African region.

Economic Ripples: The easing of sanctions on Syria, a pre-war oil exporter, could gradually reintroduce its supply to the global market. Before its civil war began in 2011, Syria produced nearly 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. While its infrastructure is severely damaged, international investment facilitated by sanctions relief could, in the medium to long term, increase global supply. For Kenya, a net fuel importer, any sustained increase in global oil production could eventually translate to lower prices at the pump, potentially easing the cost of living and transportation. However, market analysts caution that Syria's path to significant production is long, and immediate price impacts are unlikely.

Security and Counter-Terrorism: The elevation of Ahmed al-Sharaa from a U.S.-designated terrorist to a White House guest presents a complex precedent for nations like Kenya, which are on the frontline of combating terrorism. Al-Sharaa, once known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, founded the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate, before breaking ties with the global network in 2016. His new government has made commitments to counter-terrorism, which the U.S. has cited as a reason for its policy shift. However, his past raises concerns for East African security services battling al-Shabaab, an active al-Qaeda affiliate. The diplomatic rehabilitation of a former militant leader will be closely watched in Nairobi and Mogadishu, as it could influence regional strategies for dealing with insurgent groups.

A New Chapter for Syria

The Syrian civil war, which erupted in March 2011, resulted in over 600,000 deaths and displaced more than 13 million people, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. The conflict devastated Syria's economy, with poverty rates soaring to 90% and GDP contracting by over 50%. Al-Sharaa's forces captured Damascus in a swift offensive in December 2024, ending decades of rule by the Assad family. Since taking power, his interim government has sought international legitimacy and investment to begin a reconstruction effort estimated to cost up to $400 billion. The U.S. sanctions relief is a critical step in this process, potentially unlocking aid and investment from Gulf states and other international partners. The U.S. government stated the move delivers on President Trump's commitment to give Syria “a chance at greatness.”