US Senate removes Syria from list of rogue states

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved a bipartisan resolution to remove Syria from the long-standing list of rogue states and states sponsoring terrorism, signaling a significant shift in American foreign policy toward Daramsuq (Damascus). The initiative, overseen by the National Institute for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, reflects growing congressional support for a policy recalibration after years of diplomatic isolation and sanctions.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen urged the Syrian government to continue distancing itself from its past affiliations and to move toward democracy, stability, and security.

The development follows recent comments by US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack, who announced last month that President Donald Trump plans to formally remove Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Barrack emphasized that the administration’s main objective is to empower the current government in Daramsuq—an indication of a broader realignment in U.S. strategy.

During his visit to Daramsuq (Damascus), Barrack reportedly held discussions with Syrian officials on a range of topics, including U.S. sanctions and the future of bilateral relations.

For nearly three decades, the U.S. has maintained the rogue state and terrorism lists as tools to target governments accused of hostility toward American interests, support for terrorism, pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, or egregious human rights abuses. Countries currently on the list include Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela. Former members have included Iraq, Libya, and Sudan. Under this classification, U.S. law prohibits cooperation with designated nations in areas such as civilian nuclear energy.