US Removes Syria From Terror-Supporting Countries List After 47 Years

The United States officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after nearly 47 years, significantly shrinking the list of countries accused of supporting international terrorism. Syria's removal marks the end of its long-standing designation, which began in the 1970s. Currently, only three countries remain on the list: Cuba, North Korea, and Iran.

Cuba, the longest-standing country on the list until its brief removal in 2015, was first designated in 1982 due to its Cold War-era alliance with the Soviet Union and ongoing tensions with the US. It was removed under the Obama administration but was re-listed in 2021 by the Trump administration because of its ties to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

North Korea joined the list in 1988 following the bombing of a South Korean passenger plane. It was removed in 2008 but re-added in 2017 after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orchestrated the assassination of his half-brother using a banned nerve agent. Notably, President Trump became the first sitting US president to meet with Kim, even entering North Korean territory briefly, and has announced plans for another meeting.

Iran has been on the list since 1984, shortly after the Islamic Revolution and during the Iran-Iraq War. Unlike Cuba and North Korea, Iran has never been removed from the list. The US House of Representatives recently reaffirmed Iran as the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism in a non-binding resolution.

The removal of Syria reflects a significant shift in US policy, but the remaining countries continue to face sanctions and diplomatic pressure due to their alleged support for terrorism.