Topic: Syria Sanctions

The Trump administration announced a move to normalize relations with Syria, marking the first meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years. President Trump ordered the cessation of sanctions against the government led by Ahmed al-Shara to facilitate a "fresh start." Residents in Damascus expressed hope that the diplomatic shift would lead to reconstruction and the return of refugees.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent has called on the European Union and the United States to lift sanctions to facilitate earthquake relief. Humanitarian efforts in Syria are complicated by 12 years of war and existing economic penalties against the government of Bashar al-Assad.

Assad defends the legality of the Russian intervention in Syria, noting they were invited by the sovereign government, unlike the US-led coalition. He also criticizes EU sanctions for preventing the import of medical equipment and airplane parts. The conflict is framed as a struggle over competing natural gas pipeline routes involving Qatar and Russia.

General Martin Dempsey and Secretary Chuck Hagel emphasized the need for "ground truth" and "exquisite intelligence" to conduct targeted operations in Syria. Meanwhile, the media focus has shifted away from German-born terrorists to American citizens fighting with ISIS. This shift in narrative is viewed as a way to maintain pressure on European allies to support sanctions against Russia despite domestic economic pushback.

The UK government has committed $7 million in non-lethal aid to Syrian rebels, including body armor and communication tools. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is coordinating with Turkey to isolate the Assad regime and starve it of resources. The conflict is increasingly being framed to include Lebanon and Hezbollah as targets for future intervention.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner joins the push for increased economic sanctions against Syria, targeting the country's oil revenues and central bank transactions. Hillary Clinton asserts that the Syrian currency has collapsed and that only Iranian and Russian support keeps the regime afloat. The hosts highlight the "money grab" aspect of freezing Syrian assets and the role of the "Friends of Syria" working group in Washington D.C.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov published an op-ed criticizing Western media for "black and white propaganda" regarding Syria. Lavrov questioned how the Assad regime could remain in power for over a year without significant public support despite heavy international sanctions.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice dismisses Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's claims of a "foreign conspiracy" as an insult to the Syrian people. The hosts argue that Assad is actually correct, comparing the situation to previous interventions in Libya and Egypt. They critique Rice's push for tougher sanctions and a "strong resolution" against the regime.

President Obama signed Executive Order 13582 on August 18, 2011, demanding that Bashar al-Assad step down and freezing Syrian government assets. The order utilizes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to prohibit nearly all transactions, including the donation of food, clothing, and medicine intended to relieve human suffering. This legal framework mirrors previous sanctions applied to Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, and Libya.

Adam Curry deconstructs Senate Bill 1472, the Syria Sanctions Act of 2011. He argues the bill is not actually about stopping atrocities in Syria but is a "front" for targeting Iran and forcing Syria out of Lebanon. He plays a classic clip of General Wesley Clark discussing a 2001 Pentagon memo to "take out" seven countries in five years, including Syria and Iran.