Senate Approves Rolling Back Sanctions on Syria After 5 Years of Civilian Suffering
Al-Monitor reports the US Senate has taken steps to roll back the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, which critics contend have crippled the Syrian economy and exacerbated a humanitarian crisis for millions. Meanwhile, the initial passage of the Caesar Act in 2019 was lauded by politicians as a tool to pressure the Assad regime. One might wonder why it takes half a decade, a devastating earthquake,
and a shifting regional landscape for common sense to kick in about starving a civilian population. These sanctions, initially promoted as targeting the Assad regime, effectively blocked humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts, turning an already dire situation into a catastrophic one for ordinary Syrians (According to UN reports and numerous aid organizations). It's a familiar pattern: impose
crippling sanctions under the guise of 'democracy' or 'regime change,' watch civilians suffer, then slowly, quietly, admit the policy was a failure—typically long after the damage is irreversible. Apparently, 'humanitarian concerns' only become pertinent when they align with other strategic interests.