In a recent interview with Bloomberg, our Sanctions Lead Analyst Vittorio Maresc explained why banking sanctions are doing the most damage—cutting Syria off from the global financial system.

He also warned: 

- “Cessation” of sanctions is legally ambiguous. 

- Terrorism designations prevent any diplomatic or financial engagement. 

- The allies—like Saudi Arabia and Turkey—are already laying the groundwork for normalization.

Without lifting financial and counterterrorism restrictions, recovery is structurally blocked, regardless of political shifts.