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 announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.