Syrian President al-Sharaa said today: "I congratulate the people of Syria. Syria's name has been officially removed from the list of states supporting terrorism. I thank President Donald Trump for making this historic decision, and I also thank all our brothers and friends who have supported Syria and its people."
Commentary: In the past, the United States had offered a bounty of millions of dollars to capture al-Sharaa. Only after he took control of Damascus did the U.S. shift toward pragmatic engagement—lifting the bounty and gradually easing sanctions, using diplomatic recognition in exchange for his cooperation on counter-terrorism and regional power balance, thereby countering Iran and Russia's influence in Syria. Now, al-Sharaa publicly thanks Trump for removing Syria's designation as a "state sponsor of terrorism"—this is not only an opportunity to break Syria’s long-standing isolation from the West and secure external capital for post-war reconstruction, but also a signal of willingness to cooperate with the U.S., helping solidify his own political authority. However, their relationship remains one of mutual interest; how far U.S.-Syria relations can progress in the future will ultimately depend on whether tangible interests can be aligned.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874469487962250/
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