Trump pledges to end sanctions on Syria - sparking new debate on diplomacy, justice, and forgotten war zones.

Handshakes and Haze

Hey Small Biters,

In a surprising announcement this week, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would begin lifting sanctions on Syria, citing what he described as "promising steps" by the Ahmed al-Sharaa regime toward rebuilding diplomatic relations and cooperating with U.S. interests in the region. The announcement comes despite continued accusations of human rights abuses by Syrian President and the ongoing devastation from over a decade of civil war.

Trump, speaking at a press conference flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and interim national security adviser Tammy Bruce, emphasized that the shift in policy aims to "stabilize the Middle East" and bring Syria "back into the international fold." He also said that Syria had shown willingness to cut ties with Iran-backed militias, though this has not been independently verified.

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"We believe in peace through strength," Trump said. "And sometimes, strength means knowing when to let go of the past."

The announcement has drawn swift and sharp criticism from human rights organizations, foreign policy analysts, and even members of Congress. Many view it as a reward for a regime widely accused of mass atrocities, including chemical weapon attacks on civilians. The backlash was immediate, with multiple human rights groups warning that lifting sanctions without securing meaningful concessions from the Syria President could set a dangerous precedent.