A good move on Syria

Reuters reports:

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria at the behest of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, a major U.S. policy shift ahead of an expected meeting with Syria’s Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa. …

The surprise move came despite deep Israeli suspicion of Sharaa’s administration, worries initially shared by some U.S. officials. Israeli officials have continued to describe Sharaa as a jihadist, though he severed ties with al Qaeda in 2016. Israel’s government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

I think it is the right thing to give Sharaa a chance. Yes he was a terrorist for many years, but the reality is that there are no entirely good guys in the factions in Syria. Maybe the Kurds, but Turkey would disagree.

Sharaa is in power, and he is saying the right things. This might just be his media studies degree at work, but giving him a chance to rebuild Syria without sanctions may lead to Syria becoming more stable.

If it doesn’t work out, the sanctions can always go back on.