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Rubio Says Limited Sanctions Relief Aimed to Prevent Syrian Collapse; Lawmakers Seek Conditions
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Summary
Secretary Rubio told the committee that recent sanctions relief for Syrian transitional authorities was intended to prevent state collapse and the return of jihadist groups, and said the relief came with expectations that authorities would provide stability and not threaten neighboring states.
Secretary Marco Rubio defended recent, targeted sanctions relief for Syrian transitional authorities, telling the House Foreign Affairs Committee the waiver was necessary to avoid rapid collapse that could create a "playground for ISIS and other jihadists." Rubio argued that quick action allowed regional partners to provide donor funds and stabilize governance.
"If we don't reach out and try, it's guaranteed to not work out," Rubio said, explaining that conventional interagency processes would have taken months and risked destabilization. He said the relief aimed to support municipal services, telecommunications and governance capacity so the country would not devolve back into civil war and external extremist control.
Members including Representative McCaul (recorded in the transcript as McCall) supported leveraging the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to use assistance as a counter to Chinese influence but asked Rubio what conditions and safeguards accompany sanctions relief. Rubio said the administration expects the transitional authority to demonstrate cooperation on counterterrorism, refrain from hostile acts toward Israel, and pursue inclusive governance; he acknowledged that authorities have "troubling previous histories" and said any aid would be conditioned on actions.
Ending: Rubio framed the Syrian opportunity as "historic" if it yields a plural, stable government. He emphasized that sanctions relief is contingent and aimed at concrete governance results rather than blanket normalization.
