State Department announces envoy change and temporary sanction relief for Syria; secretary waived Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days

The State Department said Ambassador Thomas Barrick, formerly the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, has assumed the role of U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and has engaged Syrian officials in Istanbul as part of reshaped U.S. diplomacy toward Syria.

At the same time, the spokesperson said the administration had taken steps to lift some sanctions on Syria. “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,” the spokesperson said, and added that the changes were intended to facilitate regional and global investment and to “advance our primary objective, the enduring defeat of ISIS.”

The briefing characterized the moves as part of a broader plan to create incentives for reconstruction and to bring Syrians “a chance for a better future.” The spokesperson said the administration will remain focused on counter‑terrorism objectives and that the changes are meant to bolster economic engagement while maintaining pressure on entities that threaten U.S. interests.

Reporters asked for operational details about how the waivers and licenses will be applied; the spokesperson declined to elaborate beyond the announced waivers and to speak for other implementing agencies. The department did not provide specific project approvals or timelines at the briefing.

The transcript does not provide statutory citations beyond the labels used in the briefing (“Caesar act” and “general license 25”); the article does not assert additional legal qualifications beyond those terms as used by the State Department.