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Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as al-Jolani) celebrating HTS’ overthrow of the Assad regime, Damascus, 8 December 2024. (ISPI)
Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as al-Jolani) celebrating HTS’ overthrow of the Assad regime, Damascus, 8 December 2024. (ISPI)

UN Security Council removes HTS from sanctions list in ongoing international policy shift toward Syria

    28 February 2026.  The UN Security Council removed HTS from its ISIS and Al-Qaida sanctions list, clearing a final legal obstacle that was viewed as hindering Syria’s transition. The move, supporting the new government’s progress, lifts a 10-year freeze of assets, a travel ban, and arms embargo.Read more at:  LEVANT24

    A member of Syria's security forces empties a sack of Captagon to be burned in a field outside Damascus. (Bakr Alkasem:AFP:AlJazeera)
    A member of Syria's security forces empties a sack of Captagon to be burned in a field outside Damascus. (Bakr Alkasem:AFP:AlJazeera)

    UN verifies Syria’s dismantling of complex drug network affecting Middle East region

      22 December 2025.  In the past year, Syria’s authorities have shut down factories and storage sites of the addictive drug Captagon, a major source of income for the previous regime. The UN report notes how political will and cooperation can quickly disrupt even complex drug networks.Read more at:  ALJAZEERA

      President Ahmad al-Sharaa addresses the Syrian people following the full removal of sanctions. (Ahmad al-Sharaa:Social Media)
      President Ahmad al-Sharaa addresses the Syrian people following the full removal of sanctions. (Ahmad al-Sharaa:Social Media)

      President al-Sharaa heralds “new era of building” with end of US sanctions

        20 December 2025.  In a televised address from Mount Qasioun, overlooking Damascus, the president told the Syrian people that a new era had begun for rebuilding the country together, thanking them for their efforts and patience over 14 years. “Today is your day, O great Syrian people,” he said.Read more at:  LEVANT24

        L. President Ahmad al Sharaa highlights Aleppo’s central place in Syria’s past and future, R. Image of Historic Aleppo. (SANA)
        L. President Ahmad al Sharaa highlights Aleppo’s central place in Syria’s past and future, R. Image of Historic Aleppo. (SANA)

        Aleppo to serve as gateway for Syria’s economic recovery

          20 December 2025.  President Al-Sharaa addressed citizens by video at the opening of the “Aleppo the best of all” campaign. Asserting the region’s vital role in national recovery, he stressed the need to eradicate poverty as the first step. The community-driven campaign raised funds to rebuild Aleppo.Read more at:  SANA

          President Al Sharaa visits leaders from Riyadh to Washington, Paris to Moscow. (SANA)
          President Al Sharaa visits leaders from Riyadh to Washington, Paris to Moscow. (SANA)

          Syria weaves itself back into the fabric of nations with 21 foreign visits

            6 December 2025.  During his first year in office, President al-Sharaa visited numerous world leaders, signalling Syria’s return to Arab and global diplomacy. In his visits he underscored Syria’s importance as a partner for Middle East stability, stressing dialogue and diplomacy as the means for resolving conflicts.Read more at:  SANA

            President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets with Washington Post reporters, November 11, 2025. (SANA)
            President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets with Washington Post reporters, November 11, 2025. (SANA)

            Syrian president speaks of historic White House meeting to Washington Post

              11 November 2025.  President al-Sharaa tells reporters that President Trump reiterated his support for Syria’s stability, territorial unity, and “the complete lifting of sanctions,” stating most congressional members he met with agreed. He also said he believed the US is “the only country that can put Israeli conduct under check.”Read more at:  SANA

              Third meeting between Syrian and American presidents, first at White House, November 11, 2025. (video screenshot, BBC)
              Third meeting between Syrian and American presidents, first at White House, November 11, 2025. (video screenshot, BBC)

              Syria declares new era of cooperation with US and agrees to join global coalition to defeat ISIS

                11 November 2025.  Following an historic meeting between Presidents Al-Sharaa and Trump at the White House, Trump expressed full support for Syria’s success and confidence in its leader. Syria announced it will join the coalition to eliminate remaining elements of ISIS, becoming the 90th coalition’s member.Read more at:  BBCIncludes video

                UN Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Syria's President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, November 6, 2025. (UN News)
                UN Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Syria's President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, November 6, 2025. (UN News)

                UN lifts sanctions on Ahmad al-Sharaa marking shift in Syria’s global standing

                  8 November 2025.  In a nearly unanimous vote, the Security Council lifted sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa, along with Syria’s Interior Minister, Anas Khattab. Syria’s UN ambassador, Ibrahim Olabi, called the vote “a rare moment of unity in the Security Council in support of Syria and its people.”Read more at:  LEVANT24

                  Interview with President al-Sharaa airs on “60 Minutes,” major American news program. (video still, CBS - 60 minutes)
                  Interview with President al-Sharaa airs on “60 Minutes,” major American news program. (video still, CBS - 60 minutes)

                  President calls for global support to rebuild Syria on popular American TV news program

                    13 October 2025.  Noting that the world failed to stop the massive crimes against the Syrian people during 14 years of civil war, President al-Sharaa called upon the international community to support the nation’s reconstruction, stating the region and the world would benefit.Read more at:  SANA

                    Meeting of US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, US Representative Joe Wilson and Senator Jeanne Shaheen with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (center), Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra in Damascus, August 25, 2025. (Social Media)
                    Meeting of US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, US Representative Joe Wilson and Senator Jeanne Shaheen with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (center), Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra in Damascus, August 25, 2025. (Social Media)

                    US lifts all economic sanctions on Syria marking shift in relations

                      26 August 2025.  American and Syrian officials met in Damascus on the announcement of the full removal of US economic sanctions. Discussions focused on regional security, trade, and humanitarian conditions, along with ways to deepen dialogue and cooperation. The Syrian-American Coalition for Peace and Prosperity said, “This visit opens the door to positive US involvement in the process of construction and stability in Syria.”Read more at: LEVANT24

                      UN Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, addresses extended Security Council session on Syria. (SANA)
                      UN Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, addresses extended Security Council session on Syria. (SANA)

                      UN leaders rally behind Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability

                        21 August 2025.  The UN Special Envoy to Syria told the Security Council that Syria is “witnessing a state of calm.”  He affirmed the importance of efforts to monitor the ceasefire in Sweida, asserting the necessity for the country’s peaceful transition. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs called on the UN to shift from humanitarian aid to long-term support for Syria’s development and reconstruction.  Security Council members condemned Israeli strikes and praised the new government’s policies and progress.Read more at:  SANA

                        British Foreign Secretary David Lammy (left) in Damascus with President al-Sharaa. (SANA:AFP July 5th on The Guardian)
                        British Foreign Secretary David Lammy (left) in Damascus with President al-Sharaa. (SANA:AFP July 5th on The Guardian)

                        UK reestablishes relations with Syria after 14 years

                          5 July 2025.  UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Damascus, meeting with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani to restore diplomatic ties. He said: “…it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.” The two nations also agreed to reopen Syria’s London embassy and form a joint Economic Council.  In addition, Lammy pledged £96.5 million in aid.Read more at: THE GUARDIAN

                          Members of the board of the US-Syria Business Council, Issam Ghreiwati and Abdul Hamid al-Akel. (US-Syria Business Council)
                          Members of the board of the US-Syria Business Council, Issam Ghreiwati and Abdul Hamid al-Akel. (US-Syria Business Council)

                          US-Syria Business Council seeks to build economic bridges and foster shared prosperity

                            24 June 2025. The newly established US-Syria Business Council aims to boost economic ties following the lifting of U.S. sanctions. It will serve as a gateway for US companies and banks to invest in Syria, and for Syrians living outside the country to contribute their business and technological expertise to key sectors such as agriculture, energy, tech, and infrastructure. A main goal is to increase the value of trade between Syria and the US.  Read more at: ENAB BALADI

                            Governor of Syria’s Central Bank welcomes the lifting of Swiss sanctions. (Photo: SANA)

                            Syria’s relations with Switzerland enter a new chapter

                              21 June 2025. Syria’s Central Bank Governor, Abdul Qader al-Hasriya, welcomed Switzerland’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, calling it a key step in rebuilding bilateral financial and trade ties. Mentioning Syria’s historic cooperation with Swiss banks, he expressed hope for constructive collaboration that would bolster Syria’s national economy and advance shared interests. Read more at: SANA

                              US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, describes President Ahmad al-Sharaa as ‘a pivotal figure in the rebuilding of Syria’ (Photo: SANA)

                              US diplomat underscores power of hope in the face of harsh reality

                                11 June 2025. Ambassador Barrack praises Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for his leadership of Syria’s reconstruction, saying the government is handling the situation “in the best way possible.”  He stated that by lifting sanctions, the US hopes to remove obstacles to Syria’s economic recovery and that it seeks transparency, not control. “A drop of hope may be more powerful than a tank full of a bad reality,” the ambassador said.Read more at: SANA

                                Syrian Minister for Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press, in Damascus, Syria, May 12. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

                                Hind Kabawat, minister of social affairs and labor, hopeful now

                                  30 May 2025. The easing of sanctions will help tackle corruption and bring home millions of refugees, the minister said. “We would talk, make plans, but nothing could happen on the ground because sanctions were holding everything up and restricting our work.” Read more at: AP News

                                  Trucks loaded with belongings of residents from the Areesha refugee camp who are returning home. (Photo © UNHCR/Hameed Maarouf on UN News website 27 May 2025)

                                  Belongings of internally displaced Syrians returning home

                                    27 May 2025. Sanctions relief for Syria offers ‘powerful message of hope,’ says UN migration agency. The easing of sanctions sends “a powerful message of hope,” says UN agency. Since Assad’s overthrow, 500,000 refugees and 1.5 million internally displaced Syrians have returned home. In a reel, a woman reflects: “We were displaced for 13 years… now we feel like we’ve come out of a grave.” Read more at: UN News

                                    People celebrate in Damascus on May 13, after the announcement of US lifting sanctions. (Yamam Al Shaar/Reuters)

                                    After 8 years in exile a journalist returns home, calling it surreal

                                      20 May 2025. Living in ruins, cautiously rebuilding their lives, people celebrate the end of US sanctions in May. Most shocking to the writer was the fact that people can now speak openly at public gatherings, voicing political opinions without fear. Read more at: Washington Post Subscription needed to read whole article.