The president's decision on sanctions does not mean he's chosen to side with self-described "restraint" advocates over foreign policy hawks in Washington.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday had tea with a former jihadist who until recently had a $10 million US bounty on his head.

P resident Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, May 13, that he plans to end the U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria, which have been in place for over 45 years. Announcing the news on the first day of his Middle East tour, during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump said he would be lifting sanctions “in order to give them [Syria] greatness.”

An end to U.S. sanctions on Syria is expected to mark a new era for an economy devastated by 13 years of war, opening the way for investment flows from the Syrian diaspora, Turkey, and Gulf states that back the new government.

Five months after its liberation from the police state of Bashar al-Assad, Syria sometimes looks like a country in civil war. Sectarian clashes have turned into street battles with rockets and mortars.

Turkey’s recent policies in Syria are emblematic of the way a middle power can exert influence in its region, sometimes outmaneuvering seemingly stronger players. Throughout Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011,

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as he continues his three-nation visit this week meant to tackle multiple crises and conflicts across the Middle East.

Gulf leaders called for ending the Israeli war on Gaza and supporting Syria during their summit on Wednesday with US President Donald Trump in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The Gulf-US summit was held during Trump’s current regional tour, his first overseas trip since taking office in January.