Trump expected to confer with Syria's leader in Saudi Arabia

Chillin' With the President in Saudi Arabia

Yo, what's good everyone? The prez is in Saudi Arabia right now, gettin' his Texas swagger on. He just met up with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was once a terrorist with a $10 million price tag on his head. This goes down after Trump announced he's gonna lift decades of U.S. sanctions on Syria, 'cause their economy is a mess after their civil war and the fall of the Assad regime.

Michel Martin: So Aya Batrawy, NPR's badass reporter in Riyadh, we got you on the line. What's the skinny on this sanction de-escalation?

Aya Batrawy: Yo, no problem, Michel. This could be a game-changer, not just for Syria, but the entire region. Wanna hear a tidbit? Check this out:

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.

(CHEERING)

Aya Batrawy: So that's Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the whole crew standin' ovation style when Trump made the announcement. Syria's a big deal, right? Used to be a hub of culture, intellect, and whatnot, but for over a decade it's been crumblin' and struggling due to the civil war. These sanctions weren't doin' the average Syrian any favors either. Hospitals were strugglin', like missing spare parts for machines and elevators. But now Trump says let's shake things up and put this new Syria, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, in the spotlight for a fresh start with the U.S.

Now, their sit-down lasted about half an hour, and it included the Saudi crown prince and Turkey's president over the phone. They kicked it about security concerns, like what extremist groups are still lyin' low in Syria, and how they don't wanna see Iran establishment a beachhead there.

Michel: So, Aya, everyone's cheering and whatnot, but is anyone out here not down with this decision to lift sanctions?

Aya Batrawy: Chill, chill. Liftin' these sanctions ain't gonna be easy breezy lemon squeezy. Syria's on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and to yank it off, Congress gotta get in on the action. And don't start talkin' about Israel, 'cause they've been dropping bombs inside Syria for months, and they consider this new government kinda extreme. Israel's worried Syria could become a base for attacks, and they ain't too happy about the whole sanction liftin' situation. In fact, just last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Trump not to move on the sanctions.

Michel: Cool, cool. So Trump's got plans for some business deals while he's cruisin' around the region. What's the dealio on that?

Aya Batrawy: The crown prince told Trump he'd secure at least $600 billion in Saudi investments into the U.S. over the next four years. Mostly gonna be on defense and weapons sales to the kingdom, but it also includes tech and AI homies, like Google, Amazon, Nvidia, Boeing, and more. Trump pretty much rolled up with his A-team of top CEOs, and they were glad-handin' it up kneepads-worthy with the president and the crown prince in a fancy shindig. The handshakes? They show just how significant Trump is to MBS's relaunch. Seven years ago, the world got all pissed off about the murder of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi. Long story short, Trump's here to change the mood of the game, and it's about time.

Michel: Right on. Alright, SS, President Trump's headin' to Qatar next. What's the dealio there?

Aya Batrawy: I figure the focus will be on two things: Qatar's role as a base for U.S. troops in the Middle East and its unexpected connections with groups the U.S. doesn't traditionally chat with, like Hamas. Last month, the Trump administration was direct talkin' with 'em to release a U.S.-Israeli soldier and hostage, and they did it. So we might hear about some surprises from Trump in Qatar 'bout his vision for a Gaza ceasefire.

Michel: Thanks for the deets, Aya. Y'all keep it real.

Aya Batrawy: No worries, keep it poppin', Michel. Stay blessed.

NPR transcripts created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary.

Enrichment Data:

Economic Impact on Syria: The removal of sanctions could enable Syrian banks to rejoin the global financial system, ease imports of vital goods, and boost reconstruction efforts. This could lead to economic growth, potentially encouraging the return of refugees.

For instance, shortly after the announcement, Syria's currency gained 60%, indicating a positive initial economic response[3].

Geopolitical Implications: The decision could alter regional dynamics, particularly in relation to Iran. By lifting sanctions, the U.S. may be preventing Iran from exploiting Syria's weak state to restore its influence in the region, often referred to as the "Shiite Crescent." This decision could also affect Israel's security posture, as it may reduce Iranian-backed threats in the region.
International Relations: The move might bridge rifts within the U.S. government and between the U.S. and its allies, including Arab, Turkish, and European partners. It could also impact Israel's position, as it may face increasing pressure to normalize relations with Syria, potentially aligning with broader regional shifts.
Effect on the Region: The decision's potential ripple effects on neighboring countries like Turkey and Israel are significant. Turkey may see advantages in reduced tensions with Israel over Syria, while Israel might see benefits in reduced Iranian influence in the region.
Regional Security: The reduction of Iranian influence could enhance regional security, as it may limit Iran's ability to use Syria as a hub for its proxy forces. This could lead to a more stable environment for countries like Israel and Turkey.

The announcement of lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria's economy, due to its struggle post-civil war, could be a significant policy-and-legislation change that affects not only Syria but also the entire Middle East region.
The move to lift sanctions on Syria may have significant geopolitical implications, particularly its impact on international relations with key allies like Israel and Turkey, as well as regional security dynamics, given Iran's potential reduced influence in the region.