In taking Syria off state sponsor of terrorism list, US is putting its faith in al-Qaida alumni – that presents risks and opportunities

Syria was among the first nations to be added to the State Department’s proscribed list. It has been removed under the rule of a former al-Qaida-affiliated militant.

By: Jason M. Blazakis, Middlebury College, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 27, 2026

Words: 1,311

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Jason M. Blazakis, Middlebury College

Syria’s delisting as a state sponsor of terrorism was a long time coming.

The country had, after all, been on the U.S. State Department list of proscribed nations since it was created in 1979 – the only nation originally listed still on it.

That was until Aug. 24, 2026, when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally rescinded Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

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