The United States has quietly approved a Qatari initiative to finance salaries for Syrian public-sector workers, marking a significant shift in Western engagement with post-Assad Syria, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The funding plan—cleared by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)—is expected to enable a gradual salary increase of up to 400% for over a million Syrian civil servants, offering critical relief to a country crippled by 14 years of war, sanctions, and decades of economic mismanagement.
A Syrian financial source confirmed that the Qatari funds would start flowing next month, under strict conditions that exclude the interior and defense ministries, in line with Western concerns over the fundamentalist background of the new Syrian leadership.
The move reflects a notable, if cautious, softening of U.S. policy, which had remained largely frozen under sanctions dating back to former President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. The current government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to distance itself from its Islamist origins under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which deposed Assad last year.
While Sharaa has not fully convinced Western capitals of his political transformation, the Biden administration's January sanctions exemption—and now Trump’s continuity of that policy—has opened space for Gulf Arab states to provide economic lifelines. In April, Saudi Arabia and Qatar jointly repaid Syria’s debts to the World Bank, enabling renewed access to international financial assistance.
Qatar, which had been reluctant to act without a U.S. greenlight, is now expected to finalize the payment plan once it receives written confirmation from OFAC. Diplomats familiar with the discussions said this could come within days.
The Qatari initiative aligns with Syria’s newly launched free market reforms, a break from decades of protectionism under Assad. The Syrian government plans to complement the Qatari-backed salary increase with domestic funding for other employees not covered by the deal.
Despite progress, ambiguity over the broader U.S. sanctions regime continues to challenge efforts by international stakeholders to engage with Damascus. Humanitarian and financial institutions have requested clearer exemptions to avoid violating U.S. law.
Western officials remain wary of Syria’s security apparatus, even after the official dissolution of HTS in January. The group emerged from Jabhat al-Nusra, formerly al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, and remains a sticking point in policy deliberations.
Economic revitalization remains at the core of Sharaa’s administration. With 90% of Syrians living in poverty, according to UN data, rebuilding state institutions and restoring public confidence are viewed as essential for national recovery.
The Qatari initiative may serve as a test case for future international engagement with Syria—one that balances economic stabilization with enduring security and human rights concerns.
Japan has reportedly cancelled a planned high-level security meeting with the United States after Washington pressed Tokyo to increase its defense spending, according to the Financial Times.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that American personnel are being relocated from parts of the Middle East, citing the region as potentially dangerous. He reaffirmed that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Los Angeles police made mass arrests late Tuesday after protesters violated a newly imposed curfew following five days of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown, which were marred by looting and vandalism.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan to Washington on Tuesday for talks focused on strengthening the U.S.-UAE partnership.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday that trade discussions with China were progressing positively, as officials from both nations met for a second day in London.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
The Netherlands has officially returned 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, more than a century after they were looted during Britain’s 1897 invasion of the former Kingdom of Benin, now in southern Nigeria.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, marking direct American involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), called on regional leaders Saturday to prioritize economic unity, policy coordination, and stronger investment to unlock West Africa’s full potential.
Iran has strongly condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them a violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
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