Trump's decision was crucial to restoring Syria's international connections and improving its economic prospects. However, much more needs to be done to ensure peace and prosperity for its citizens.

Firms relying on the recent wave of lifted sanctions and exceptive relief will face significant hurdles in verifying that transactions do not benefit excluded actors

Demands include a public ban on any Palestinian political activity, proscribing Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, and allowing unilateral US military action in Syria

The US can either undertake major sanctions relief that allows for significant cash flow and economic normalisation for the new Syria or utilise it as leverage against the new HTS-led government

Estimates of reconstruction costs range up to $500bn, and most Syrians only get a few hours of electricity per day. The country's priorities are numerous and urgent, but amid the gloom, there is hope.

Maintaining the status quo of economic isolation will only punish ordinary Syrians

In "The Pointless Cruelty of Trump's New Syria Sanctions" (August 17, 2020),Joshua LandisandSteven Simonargue that the new American sanctions imposed against backers of the Syrian regime harm…