U.S. Sanctions on Syria: Have They Been Lifted?
The Caesar Act, imposed by the United States on Syria since 2019, continues to enforce economic restrictions on the country, despite repeated U.S. promises to lift it, which have yet to materialize.
Economic and political analysts say the sanctions serve as a tool of pressure on Damascus, allowing the United States to control investment and reconstruction while limiting the role of Russia and China in Syria’s economy.
Caesar: A Persistent Pressure Tool – Not an Individual Decision
Economic experts point out that the U.S. has not taken substantial steps to lift the Caesar Act against Damascus, despite prior promises from former President Donald Trump. They describe the sanctions as a form of political leverage, linking any potential lifting to specific U.S. conditions regarding Syria’s economy.
In this context, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, supported by the Syrian-American Alliance, failed to repeal the Caesar Act through amendments to the U.S. defense budget, after the House of Representatives rejected the proposal. This outcome underscores the continued U.S. determination to retain control over Syria’s economic policies.
According to Syrian economic analyst Hassan Deeb, lifting the sanctions has been tied to specific political and economic conditions, keeping vital sectors—most notably reconstruction—under direct or indirect U.S. oversight. Deeb added that the sanctions can only be lifted through separate legislation, contrary to claims that the U.S. president can remove them independently.
Limiting Russian and Chinese Influence, Enhancing Israeli Leverage
Syrian political analyst Saeed Joudeh notes that the continuation of the sanctions allows the U.S. to select which international entities are permitted to invest in Damascus, ensuring that U.S. companies and allies benefit, while reducing the potential investment influence of Russia and China. This occurs despite mutual visits by officials from the two countries to Damascus and the Syrian government’s interest in strengthening relations.
Experts also indicated that U.S. conditions tied to lifting the sanctions have led the transitional government to open channels of communication with Israel under security agreements considered unbalanced, reflecting the impact of the Caesar Act on diplomatic and political choices.
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