Mechanism for lifting Syria sanctions include automatic reinstatement
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Isaac Andakian, an expert in international crisis management, told North Press on Sunday that a mechanism for lifting the comprehensive U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria is currently being prepared.
He said that the mechanism will most likely take the form of an automatic “snapback” system, under which sanctions would be reinstated if the Syrian transitional government is found to be non-compliant with agreed terms.
Andakian added that although U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast recently expressed support for moving forward with lifting the broad sanctions on Syria, he also emphasized that he is working to ensure the inclusion of a provision that would automatically restore sanctions should the Syrian government fail to uphold its commitments. However, the precise legislative text outlining this mechanism is still being drafted.
On Nov. 20, Mast revealed that he supports lifting the wide-ranging sanctions on Syria but is simultaneously working to insert a clause that would reimpose sanctions automatically if the Syrian government does not fulfill agreed obligations.
“The main components of the proposed mechanism include activation conditions and U.S. Congressional oversight, as well as clarity and speed,” Andakian noted.
“Sanctions would be automatically reinstated if the Syrian government fails to meet specific requirements related to human rights, combating corruption and terrorism, and ensuring protections for religious and sectarian minorities in Syria.”
He added that the mechanism will likely require the submission of periodic reports to Congress, which would then be used to determine whether Syria is complying with these conditions.
This, he said, would ensure Congress’ ability to hold the executive branch accountable for enforcing the terms.
According to Andakian, Congressman Mast aims to adopt a clear, automatic mechanism that does not rely on prolonged political debate to reimpose sanctions, thereby providing a degree of predictability for all parties while maintaining pressure on the Syrian government.
Andakian also highlighted a key question: whether Syria could play a role in future regional security arrangements, particularly through contributing to the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military arsenal in areas such as Baalbek–Hermel near the Qalamoun Mountains — areas that saw intense battles during the Syrian civil war.
He noted that this question arises amid Syria’s accession to the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which may allow Washington to expand the coalition’s mandate to include countering Hezbollah.
This could lead the U.S. to demand that its partners — including Syria — participate in efforts to contain the group, especially given international and American dissatisfaction with the Lebanese government’s performance on disarming Hezbollah as the deadline for doing so approaches.
Reporting by Abdelsalam Khoja