Overview

• President Donald Trump announced the cessation of U.S. sanctions on Syria by executive order, pending congressional approval for full removal.
• Trump's meeting with Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh is the first high-level U.S.–Syria contact in over two decades.
• The U.S. has urged Syria to join the Abraham Accords, deport foreign militants, and cooperate in countering Islamic State resurgence.
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in the meeting, underscoring regional support for the initiative.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Syrian officials in Turkey to negotiate the terms of lifting remaining sanctions.