U.S. Senators Risch and Shaheen Call for Strategic Engagement with Syria’s Transitional Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The question of how the United States should engage with Syria’s Transitional Government (STG) has emerged as a pivotal issue among policymakers, as the country navigates the aftermath of the Assad regime’s collapse. In a letter addressed to the Secretaries of State and Treasury, Senator Jim Risch (R), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D), a senior committee member, outlined a series of recommendations aimed at redefining U.S. policy toward Syria. The senators emphasized the urgency of removing “obstacles” that hinder expanded cooperation with the STG, arguing that the fall of Bashar al-Assad presents a rare and fleeting opportunity for the United States to safeguard its strategic interests in the region. 

The senators urge the Trump Administration to adopt a measured approach, balancing risks and opportunities while allowing regional and international partners to take the lead. They propose a comprehensive review of existing U.S. sanctions on Syria, advocating for extensions and expansions of general licenses, as well as targeted sanctions waivers to facilitate critical operations in the near term. These measures, they argued, would reduce sanctions risks in vital sectors such as agriculture, energy, electricity infrastructure, finance, telecommunications, and education. 

Recent developments have added complexity to the U.S. calculus. Following the regime’s collapse, Syria’s Transitional Government has embarked on a diplomatic offensive, seeking to restore regional ties and consolidate its legitimacy. Unofficial High-level meetings between U.S. officials and the new administration in Damascus have focused on broadening political representation, combating the remnants of the Islamic State, and curbing Iranian influence. The U.S. has also signaled conditional support for the STG, emphasizing the need for transparency, inclusivity, and respect for minority rights. 

The senators highlighted key national security priorities that should guide U.S. engagement: preventing Syria from becoming a launchpad for terrorist activities, ensuring that Russia and Iran do not entrench their presence, eliminating chemical weapons and Captagon stockpiles, and locating missing U.S. citizens, including journalist Austin Tice. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated these priorities, stressing the importance of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition that aligns with international standards. 

The role of international stakeholders such as Turkey, the European Union, and Gulf Arab states has been instrumental in shaping Syria’s transitional phase. Turkey has maintained a significant presence in northern Syria, while Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have expressed willingness to support the STG through economic and political initiatives. The European Union has hosted conferences to ensure an inclusive transition and has pledged support for rebuilding Syria as a unified and stable state. 

Despite reduced levels of conflict, Syria remains in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, with over 16 million people requiring assistance (According to the UN, 90% of the population lives in poverty). Efforts to rebuild infrastructure, provide medical aid, and clear explosive remnants of war are ongoing. The United Nations has emphasized the importance of supporting displaced Syrians and facilitating their return to their communities. 

U.S.-Syria relations have been marked by decades of tension, from Syria’s inclusion on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1979 to the imposition of sanctions under the Caesar Act. The recent shift in U.S. policy reflects a cautious optimism about Syria’s potential for democratic reform.