On June 30, 2025, President Trump revoked six executive orders related to sanctions on Syria, some dating back to the Bush and Obama years. This included the sweeping 2004 national emergency declaration and sanctions that targeted entire swaths of the Syrian economy. Those broad, economy-wide sanctions are now gone.

Here’s what it does:

• Removes U.S. Treasury sanctions on over 500 individuals and entities tied to Syria’s old regime or government sectors (like banking and energy).
• Restores Syria’s access to the international financial system, potentially allowing for aid, investment, and reconstruction.
• Authorizes the Secretary of State to review whether Syria should remain on the list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism” and whether the new government, led by Ahmed al‑Sharaa, should still be considered a terrorist group.

Here’s what it does not do:

• It does not lift sanctions on Bashar al‑Assad himself, his family, or cronies.
• It does not legalize trade with Iranian proxies, terror groups, or the Captagon drug empire.
• It does not repeal the Caesar Act, which Congress passed to target Syrian war crimes.

So, the change is sweeping, but with some important brakes still in place.

The Case for a Fresh Start in Syria

Humanitarian Relief with Economic Hope

For well over a decade, Syria has been the poster child for suffering: bombed-out cities, starving families, and a lost generation that’s never known peace. From Damascus to Aleppo to the Christian villages of the Khabur River, innocent people—men, women, and especially children—have borne the brunt of evil leadership, civil war, and global indifference.

While sanctions were meant to punish a brutal regime, they often ended up suffocating the very people they were supposed to protect. Ordinary Syrians couldn’t get medicine, hospitals couldn’t get equipment, farmers couldn’t sell their crops, and banks were locked out of the global system. Meanwhile, the worst actors—warlords, traffickers, and regime insiders—found workarounds and kept getting richer.

President Trump’s decision to lift these broad economic sanctions isn’t about rewarding past sin, it’s about giving a war-torn nation a chance at healing. With access to international banking and trade, Syria can finally begin to rebuild its infrastructure: roads, water systems, hospitals, schools, power grids. It means jobs for the unemployed, dignity for the displaced, and hope for the next generation.

This is a mercy worth extending if it leads to real fruit. The Bible reminds us, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it” (Proverbs 3:27). The Syrian people are due some relief, not because they’re perfect, but because they’ve endured unspeakable suffering, much of it not of their own making.

Of course, lifting sanctions doesn’t guarantee prosperity. But it does offer a sliver of opportunity for charities to operate more freely, for Christian missions to return, and for Syrians of all backgrounds to begin reclaiming a life that isn’t defined by rubble and ration lines. In short, this move may restore not just Syria’s economy but its humanity.

Geopolitical Realignment

Beyond humanitarian relief, President Trump’s executive order is a calculated maneuver in a long game of geopolitical chess, a strategic reset meant to unfreeze the board and redraw the lines of influence in the Middle East.

Syria isn’t just another war-torn nation. It’s a critical piece of the regional puzzle. Under the Assad regime, Syria was a loyal client state of Iran: a highway for weapons to Hezbollah, a launchpad for terror against Israel, and a bridgehead for Russian and Iranian military expansion. The regime’s collapse has left a vacuum, and vacuums in the Middle East don’t stay empty long.

Lifting sanctions doesn’t just unshackle Syria’s economy; it’s a way of saying, “You have a choice.” President Trump is offering Syria a path out of Iran’s shadow and back into the orbit of Arab allies, Western investors, and—perhaps most importantly—peaceful coexistence with Israel. This fits with the broader Trump doctrine we’ve seen before: “Peace through strength, and partnership through pragmatism.”

The Abraham Accords showed what’s possible when Arab states and Israel find common ground. A Syria no longer chained to Iran and terror could follow suit, not because it loves Israel, but because it needs peace, trade, and security. That’s a win for American influence, a blow to the Ayatollahs, and a potential game-changer for Christian minorities who’ve been caught in the crossfire.

This is about restoring order in a region that desperately needs it. The Bible says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2). Removing Assad was necessary, but without a follow-up plan, we risked handing the reins to Iran, al-Qaeda, or worse. This realignment gives the U.S. a chance to shape what comes next.

If the new Syrian leadership proves serious about moderation, this move could frustrate Tehran, stabilize borders, and bring a modicum of peace to a part of the world that has known far too little of it. It’s not about perfection, it’s about pulling the region one inch closer to stability, security, and sanity. And that’s worth trying.

Biblical Principles of Mercy and Restoration

At the heart of this policy shift lies a spiritual tension we know well: how do we balance justice with mercy? As believers, we are called to uphold righteousness, but also to recognize the power of redemption. Scripture isn’t silent on this; it’s overflowing with examples of how God deals with nations and individuals who turn from wickedness.

Consider Nineveh: a brutal, pagan city whose sins reached the heavens. God sent Jonah not to destroy them outright, but to give them a chance to repent. When they did, judgment was withheld, not because they deserved it, but because they humbled themselves. Likewise, Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son shows a father willing to embrace his wayward child, not because he forgot the offense, but because he saw a changed heart.

Lifting sanctions on Syria doesn’t erase the evil committed under the Assad regime, nor should it. But it does offer the new leadership—and more importantly, the Syrian people—a path back into the fellowship of nations, provided they embrace peace, reject terror, and protect the vulnerable.

This is not about naive forgiveness. As Proverbs 24:24 warns, “He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him.” Mercy without justice is license. But justice without mercy is cruelty.

As Christians, we should support this policy if—and only if—it’s tethered to real standards. Accountability must be demanded. Religious freedom must be protected. Those guilty of atrocities must continue to face sanctions. But for the millions who simply want to live in peace and dignity, this might be the first flicker of hope in a long, dark night.

In a world so often driven by vengeance, President Trump’s decision offers a model of conditional mercy: a willingness to forgive without forgetting, to restore without rewarding evil. That’s not just a good policy. That’s gospel wisdom in action.

The Case for Caution and Accountability

Concerns About the New Government

While the idea of Syrian renewal sounds noble, we can’t afford to ignore the nature of the new regime now sitting in Damascus. President Trump’s executive order doesn’t just lift economic restrictions, it implicitly acknowledges the leadership of Ahmed al‑Sharaa, a man whose past reads less like a resume and more like an intelligence file.

Al‑Sharaa is no stranger to jihad. He was a senior commander in Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS), a group directly linked to al‑Qaeda. Though he’s since tried to rebrand himself as a “moderate,” trading his AK-47 for a tie and giving TED-style speeches on national unity, the scars of his past run deep. It takes more than a wardrobe change and a PR campaign to prove a true transformation.

And while his government claims to be transitional and inclusive, early reports tell a more troubling story. Christian communities, especially in the northwest, have faced renewed restrictions on worship. Alawites and Druze complain of surveillance, property seizures, and second-class treatment. Women are reportedly being forced back into strict Islamic dress codes, and public morality squads are patrolling the streets in some areas. This doesn’t look like liberty, it looks like Sharia with a facelift.

This is not the Syrian equivalent of Nelson Mandela stepping out of prison. It’s more like the fox claiming he’s ready to guard the henhouse because he’s tired of eating chicken.

As Christians, we believe in redemption, but we also believe in fruits worthy of repentance. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” So far, the fruit of al‑Sharaa’s rule is sour, especially for Christians and other minorities.

That doesn’t mean the door should be slammed shut. But it does mean we must watch this new regime with both eyes wide open. Sanctions relief should never become a blank check for Islamic authoritarianism or a quiet reward for well-dressed jihadists who learned how to smile for the cameras.

In short, we’re not looking for perfection. But we are looking for integrity. And so far, Syria’s new leadership hasn’t earned our trust, just our scrutiny.

Weakening American Leverage

Sanctions aren’t just economic tools; they’re moral and strategic instruments. For years, they’ve served as one of the few non-military ways the United States could push back against terrorism, chemical warfare, and the suppression of religious freedom in Syria. They’ve sent a message not just to Damascus, but to the watching world: there are consequences for evil.

By lifting broad sanctions now—before Syria’s new leadership has demonstrated long-term reliability—we may be surrendering that leverage far too early. Once financial channels reopen, international investors pile in, and regional trade resumes, it becomes far more difficult to put the genie back in the bottle. Reimposing sanctions after the fact is politically messy, diplomatically costly, and economically ineffective.

Even worse, if al‑Sharaa’s government veers back toward Iran, embraces jihadist factions, or resumes persecution of Christians, we’ll be left with fewer cards to play. Our influence will have been traded away for the promise of reform that never materialized. That’s not just risky, it’s reckless.

Diplomacy must be grounded in reality, not wishful thinking. Proverbs 14:15 reminds us, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Lifting sanctions is not inherently wrong, but doing so without verifiable conditions, strong oversight, and a clear backup plan is a gamble the U.S. might regret.

The bottom line? Mercy without pressure becomes appeasement. We can extend a hand, but we must also keep a firm grip on our principles and our leverage. Once you give away the stick, you better hope the carrot works.

Potential for Abuse and CorruPTION

History has taught us that when billions of dollars start flowing into fragile, post-conflict nations, the righteous aren’t usually the first in line. In places like Syria, where decades of war have hollowed out institutions and bred a culture of backroom deals, corruption isn’t the exception, it’s the norm.

Without firm oversight and transparency, lifting sanctions could unleash a gold rush for war profiteers, shady middlemen, and foreign interests with less-than-noble intentions. Whether it’s rebuilding infrastructure, importing fuel, or managing aid distribution, the same bad actors who thrived under Assad—cronies, militia leaders, and political opportunists—could easily reposition themselves under new banners.

And while Western governments may hope to direct funds to humanitarian efforts, the sad truth is that money is fungible. Every dollar that ends up in the wrong pocket is a dollar not feeding hungry families, rebuilding Christian churches, or healing war-torn communities. What’s more, rogue states like Russia and China are already poised to swoop in with cash and contracts.

This isn’t just a policy risk, it’s a moral hazard. Proverbs 17:23 warns, “A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.” Corruption corrodes justice. It fuels oppression. And if we open the economic gates without guardrails, we may find ourselves complicit in funding the very evils we sought to end.

Supporting the Syrian people doesn’t mean writing blank checks or throwing good money after bad governance. It means applying wisdom, accountability, and discernment, hallmarks of both good policy and biblical stewardship. Mercy must be coupled with management. Otherwise, we’re not rebuilding a nation, we’re just funding the next generation of tyrants with a fresh coat of paint.

Conclusion: Cautious Optimism, Watchful Resolve

As an independent Christian conservative, I’m not in the business of blind loyalty. I don’t worship politicians; I worship the Lord. And I believe our allegiance must always be to truth over tribe, principle over party, and righteousness over rhetoric. So where do I stand on President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria?

• Yes, the long-suffering Syrian people deserve a chance at recovery, dignity, and peace. They’ve endured misery for far too long.
• Yes, if reconstruction leads to stability, less bloodshed, and a pathway to freedom—especially for Christians and other minorities—we should cautiously support it.
• But no, this must never become a blank check for extremists who swapped their AKs for Armani.
• And absolutely yes, we must watch this regime like hawks: demand transparency, enforce red lines, and be ready to snap sanctions back into place if they regress into tyranny, religious persecution, or hostility toward Israel.

This is not some soft-hearted surrender to radicalism. It’s a strategic offer, a biblical extension of conditional mercy. As Proverbs 21:15 reminds us, “It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” Justice is not optional. It is the foundation of any lasting peace.

President Trump’s move isn’t perfect; no policy is. But it’s a bold attempt to balance mercy with strength, principle with pragmatism. It offers Syria a window of opportunity, not a guarantee. And it puts the burden squarely on al‑Sharaa’s regime to prove they’re serious about change.

The world is watching. If this experiment fails, the damage could be serious. But if it succeeds—even in part—it could be a model for how America wields influence not just with force, but with moral clarity and watchful resolve.

May God help the people of Syria and guide the United States of America. And may we, as Christians, never forget our calling to speak the truth boldly, extend grace wisely, and stand unwaveringly on the side of justice, even when it’s not easy, not popular, and not clear-cut.