US Ends Blanket Syria Arms Export Ban

The Trump administration has ended the blanket U.S. ban on arms exports to Syria, allowing proposed weapons sales and security services to be reviewed individually rather than automatically rejected. The change to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations took effect Oct. 1, but each transaction still requires U.S. approval. It follows other steps to ease restrictions and reengage with Damascus, including removing Syria’s state-sponsor-of-terrorism designation and plans to reopen the U.S. Embassy. The policy shift may enable security cooperation, including efforts to prevent an Islamic State resurgence, while preserving U.S. oversight of potential deals. Syria’s removal leaves Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Venezuela subject to the arms-export denial policy.