U.S. Notifies Congress of Syria Embassy Reopening Plans

The Trump administration has notified Congress of its plans to begin preparations for potentially reopening the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, more than a decade after it closed amid the country's civil war. The State Department sent the notice to key congressional committees on February 10, outlining a phased approach to resuming operations, with funding for the initial planning set to start within 15 days.

The embassy has been shuttered since 2012, when escalating violence in Syria's civil war forced the evacuation of American diplomats. The current initiative follows the ouster of longtime leader Bashar Assad in December 2024, which paved the way for a new government under Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander. U.S. officials have pursued closer ties with the emerging leadership, including the recent lifting of American sanctions to support Syria's reintegration into regional and international forums.

Leading the effort is Tom Barrack, President Donald Trump's ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria. Barrack has advocated for a comprehensive diplomatic thaw, emphasizing cooperation on security issues. In May, he traveled to Damascus and raised the U.S. flag...