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State Department names envoy to Syria and says Caesar Act sanctions waived for 180 days to open investment
Summary
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barak was identified as U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and the State Department said the administration waived Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days and the Treasury issued general license 25 to allow limited investment in Syria.
State Department spokesperson Tammy said today that U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barak has assumed the role of U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and that the administration has taken steps to ease some sanctions against Syria to promote investment and stability. "On Friday, Secretary Rubio waived Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days, and the U.S. Treasury Department announced general license 25 and other relief measures," Tammy said.
Tammy said the administration is engaging with regional and global partners "to open investment in Syria," and that easing some sanctions is intended to advance what she described as the U.S. objective of defeating ISIS and giving the people of Syria "a chance for a better future." She said the United States will remain focused on defeating ISIS and eliminating terrorist threats to Americans while pursuing measures to encourage economic activity in Syria.
Tammy framed these steps as part of a broader diplomatic approach: appointing a special envoy, lifting select sanctions temporarily, and coordinating with partners. She did not provide implementation timetables or enumerate the specific regulatory terms of general license 25 in the briefing; reporters were referred to Treasury announcements for legal details.
