Biden Administration Plans to Lift Sanctions on Syria for One Year
December 25, 2024, 2:34 pm

Biden Administration Plans to Lift Sanctions on Syria for One Year

إدارة بايدن تعتزم رفع العقوبات عن سوريا لمدة عام

Media outlets reported that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden intends to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria for one year before the inauguration of President-elect Trump on January 20, according to what the Qatari channel "Al-Araby Al-Jadeed" reported today (Wednesday).

This move is expected to include U.S. sanctions imposed on Bashar al-Assad's regime, including the "Caesar" sanctions, which have been extended under the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which Biden is expected to sign in the coming days.

The current administration seeks to approve the lifting of sanctions as part of a "trial period" to assess the performance of the new government, "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham," which also contributes to the international political landscape in Syria.

The United States also plans to link the lifting of sanctions to clear conditions, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that the political transition in Syria must include respect for the rights of the Syrian people. Matthew Levitt, a fellow at the Washington Institute, pointed out in an article published in the "Los Angeles Times" the need to ensure the protection of minorities, facilitate humanitarian assistance for all in need, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism, and ensure it does not pose a threat to its neighbors.

It is worth noting that the sanctions imposed on Syria over the past years have had a significant impact on the economy, as they included restrictions on vital sectors such as aviation, shipping, technology, and banking, resulting in resource shortages and exacerbating the social and economic crises in the country.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
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Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”