In taking Syria off state sponsor of terrorism list, US is putting its faith in al-Qaida alumni – that presents risks and opportunities
Syria was among the first nations to be added to the State Department’s proscribed list. It has been removed under the rule of a former al-Qaida-affiliated militant.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Turkey on July 8, 2026. Syria had been on the U.S. State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism since its inception in 1979. However, on August 24, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally removed Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
This decision aims to eliminate barriers to American investment in Syria and is a bet on the former Islamist militant-turned-Syrian leader to collaborate with the U.S. in foreign policy, economics, and potentially defense. Removing Syria from the list removes barriers to American investment in Syria. Critics argue that the U.S. is taking a significant risk by working with Syria, given the prevalence of al-Qaida alumni within the country's security forces.
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