Agreement with Syrian Subsoil Resources: New Opportunities for Washington and Damascus
Amid recent geopolitical developments, Syria is opening a new chapter in its relations with the United States. According to Western sources, the country’s authorities are prepared to propose to President Joe Biden changes in approaches to mineral resource management and economic sanctions in exchange for liberalizing access to Syrian natural resources. Overall, this proposal appears revolutionary: Damascus allegedly offers to grant American companies exclusive rights to develop the country’s mineral wealth and even the possibility of building a "Trump Tower" in the heart of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Sources close to diplomatic and security circles report that this new approach is emerging as part of preparations for an upcoming meeting between Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shar’a and U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Saudi Arabia. It is expected that a significant diplomatic conversation will take place at this regional hub, which is expected to determine further approaches toward the Syrian regime. Meanwhile, security sources indicate that one of Shar’a’s key proposals is an initiative for Syria to join a broad package of agreements known as the "Abraham Accords," which have already been signed between the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel. This could pave the way for normalization of relations with Israel and potentially allow Israeli troops to remain on Syria’s southern borders, particularly in a buffer zone near the Golan Heights, which Israel occupied in 1967. Discussions are also underway regarding the possibility for Damascus to agree to the establishment of a demilitarized zone or the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Syria, which would represent a significant breakthrough in regional stabilization and in seeking compromise solutions. Within this complex negotiation process, sources also mention the possible involvement of other key players in these rounds—namely representatives of the Palestinian Authority and Lebanese politicians. According to reports, prior to departing for Saudi Arabia, Donald Trump expressed a candid willingness to consider lifting some sanctions against Syria, which have long had a profound impact on the country’s economy. He stated that the U.S. could decide to "lift blockades" and initiate a new phase in regional relations. In his words: "We could lift sanctions to give Syria a chance to recover and start anew. Turkish President Erdoğan has already approached me on this issue, and many of our partners are also pushing for it." These statements have attracted interest and curiosity among diplomatic circles. Observers note that a signal of potential sanctions liberalization in Syria could significantly alter the regional power balance and remove long-standing restrictions on the country’s trade and investment potential. At the same time, the official position of the Biden administration remains open on this issue, and many analysts are skeptical about concrete steps in this direction. Last week, a meeting between Ahmed al-Shar’a and French President Emmanuel Macron took place in Paris. According to sources, they discussed the gradual lifting of European Union sanctions, conditional upon Syrian authorities implementing reforms and achieving internal political stabilization. At the same time, disagreements persist within the Trump administration. Some advisors, including Tulsi Gabbard and Sebastian Gorka, have questioned the advisability of engaging in negotiations with the new Syrian leader al-Shar’a, especially considering his past links with Islamist groups and participation in earlier conflicts. However, Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, supports this initiative, seeing it as a chance for economic improvement and new opportunities for cooperation. If this strategy is implemented, it could serve as a sort of "Ukrainian template"—a model that could also be applied to Syria, particularly regarding foreign companies’ involvement in developing untapped resources and economic cooperation. Some analysts even suggest that rapprochement between Syria and the West could act as leverage for distancing Assad’s regime from Iranian influence, which remains a key factor in Middle Eastern policy. Overall, the scenarios discussed within diplomatic and political circles in the U.S. and among regional partners leave the question open as to whether Syria will indeed implement such proposals. But one thing is clear: a new phase of international geopolitical play is on the horizon, and prospects for change heavily depend on high-level dialogue development and internal reforms in this historically complex country.