Trump Lifts Sanctions on Syria, Marking Diplomatic Victory for Ankara and Damascus

In a major foreign policy shift with regional ripple effects, President Donald Trump announced during a May 14, 2025, visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will lift sanctions on Syria, signaling full normalization with the newly established government of President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The move comes nearly six months after al-Sharaa’s coalition ousted the decades-long rule of Bashar al-Assad.

While framed as a U.S. policy reversal, Trump credited Turkey and Saudi Arabia—two of Assad’s historical adversaries—for encouraging the shift. Both have rapidly aligned themselves with al-Sharaa’s administration and advocated for an end to Syria’s international isolation.

Turkey’s Strategic Influence in the New Syria

Turkey, in particular, played a key behind-the-scenes role in lobbying for the change. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who maintains a close relationship with Trump, has worked aggressively to shape Syria’s post-Assad future, seeing the collapse of Assad’s regime as both a regional opportunity and a domestic necessity.

With Assad gone, Ankara has accelerated its involvement in Syria, expanding investment and influence in territories once controlled by the old regime. In areas like northeastern Idlib, Turkey has become a primary provider of public services, infrastructure, and currency stability, with the Turkish lira now widely used in northwestern Syria.

Turkey has also trained and equipped new Syrian security forces, echoing its strategy in Libya and Somalia.

The Refugee Factor and Kurdish Question

At the heart of Turkey’s interest is its long-standing conflict with Kurdish separatists, primarily the PKK, which is linked to the Syrian YPG militia—a key force in the anti-Assad coalition. By influencing the creation of a new Syrian army that integrates elements of the YPG, Ankara hopes to neutralize long-term security threats along its southern border.

Turkey currently hosts over 3.2 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country. Public frustration over their prolonged stay has led to social tensions and political backlash. Erdoğan’s government views refugee repatriation as a cornerstone of its domestic agenda—an aim dependent on stability and infrastructure development in Syria.

“A secure and functional Syrian state is the only way we can manage the refugee burden and reduce the PKK threat,” Turkish officials have reportedly said.

A Post-Assad Power Shift

Al-Sharaa’s government is still consolidating power amid challenges such as continued violence and Israeli airstrikes targeting its positions—particularly along the Golan Heights. Israel remains wary of a strong Syrian military backed by Turkish influence.

Complicating the situation further, Ahmad al-Sharaa has known ties to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group formerly linked to al-Qaeda and still designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. Nonetheless, the new administration has achieved surprising diplomatic momentum, gaining support from regional powers and now the United States.

The power vacuum left by Assad has seen Russia scale back its presence, while Iran’s influence and Hezbollah’s reach have weakened, especially in Lebanon. Turkey has moved swiftly to fill the void, emerging as the most proactive regional player in shaping Syria’s post-war architecture.

A Calculated Gamble for Peace and Power

While questions remain about the full disarmament of Kurdish forces and the durability of the new Syrian leadership, Trump’s move marks a dramatic shift in U.S. Middle East policy, potentially setting the stage for Ankara’s long-term strategic gains—both at home and abroad.