Trump teases removing Syria from terrorism sponsor list

Syria is among four nations on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, including Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. It earned that designation in 1979, leading to severe sanctions and a ban on U.S. assistance.

But if it were removed from the list, it could help normalize private-sector investment in Syria and help the U.S. gain more of a foothold in the Middle East.

Just last week, a bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers urged Rubio in a letter to remove Syria from the list, citing the ouster of former President Bashar Assad.

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“Since the fall of the Assad regime, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and the new Syrian government have demonstrated continued commitment to counterterrorism operations within Syria,” wrote Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).

Trump also heaped praise on al Sharaa during the bilateral meeting in Turkey.

“He’s done a really fantastic job as president, he’s unified the country in a very short period of time,” Trump said. “I’d say like a year and a half, about a year and a half, and right from the beginning it was a real mess, very disjointed place, and he’s brought it together.”