Quotes
I am certain that Congress would need to be informed of changes in conditions placed on Syria and how they have met those conditions before Congress can make an informed decision on whether or not it should approve the change in designation,
Graham stated
As you know, we don't move very fast, and we're in the throes of reconciliation,
Lummis saidSen. Risch and I have both been very supportive of lifting sanctions on Syria. I think it's very important,
Shaheen saidCongress played a central role in imposing the sanctions in the first place and should be both briefed on and centrally engaged in oversight and follow up,
Coons saidWe must remember that the current leadership in Syria achieved its position through force of arms, not through the will of its people,
he saidRasin, we’re going to start working again,
Mr. Katta recalled the partner telling him excitedly
The second joy since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.”
Syrians are describing it as a turning point
Everyone is trying to figure out how to implement it,
said one U.S. official in reference to the president’s announcement
Failure to lift the sanctions would be a big missed opportunity and would condemn Syria to a future as a permanent failed state.”
CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.), a staunch Trump critic, said
I think they have to get themselves straightened up. I told [al-Sharaa], ‘I hope you’re going to join when it’s straightened out.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ But they have a lot of work to do.”
Speaking to the press on board Air Force One after the talks, Trump saidIt would be like the United States moving into the Qatari embassy,
he said in an interviewWith the fall of the Assad regime last year, U.S. posture should change and shouldn’t continue to punish the Syrian people. This is a welcome step forward — and now Congress needs to do its part and repeal congressionally mandated sanctions too,
she saidQatar and the UAE will be very happy. The Russians will play a wait-and-see approach, they might view this [sanctions news] as a general positive, as they might invest as well depending on how much the U.S. wants to become a new partner of the Syrian government,
says Zelin
Congress enacted this, so the Trump Administration now has to get Congress on board to unwind those in many respects,
says ZelinThis really changes the game in terms of the status of the region. This will further shut out Iran and its ability to link up between proxies,
says ZelinBeing able to use Apple Pay in [the Syrian city of] Idlib is not something I could have imagined.”
Remarking on the social media commentary he’s seen since the news broke, Maher saysWe can only hope that they’ll make the process as quick as possible, ... One way or the other this announcement will have to be followed by concrete actions.”
he said via a post on XThe situation is incredibly desperate, [some] people have two hours of electricity per day and face hyperinflation. This is a really important signal that this can change,
he saysSyrians will have more access to capital and be part of the global economy once again. Right now, everything is a cash economy,
he saysHe's a hero inside Syria,
said Qusay Noor, a Syrian journalist