### US Pushes for UN Sanctions Lift on Syrian President Ahead of Historic Meeting The United States is actively seeking the United Nations Security Council's approval to lift sanctions imposed on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government officials. This initiative comes as al-Sharaa is scheduled for a significant visit to the White House on November 10, 2025, marking a potential shift in U.S.-Syria relations. The proposed resolution aims to remove sanctions that have been in place due to Syria's ongoing civil conflict and human rights violations, indicating a possible thaw in diplomatic tensions. However, the resolution's success hinges on securing the support of at least nine council members and avoiding vetoes from any of the five permanent members, including Russia and China, who have historically supported Syria [https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-seeks-un-nod-to-lift-sanctions-on-syrian-president-al-sharaa-ahead-of-white-house-visit-13948237.html][https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-sanctions-syria-trump-93fc9a71cc578eb13553cb3515fc512d]. ### Structure of the US Proposal to the UN 1. **Objective of the Proposal** - The U.S. aims to lift sanctions on President al-Sharaa and Syria's interior minister to facilitate diplomatic engagement ahead of the White House visit [https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2025-11-05/ty-article/u-s-pushes-u-n-to-lift-syria-sanctions-before-trump-hosts-syrias-leader-at-white-house/0000019a-546f-df58-ad9e-d4ff32f40000]. 2. **Requirements for Approval** - The resolution requires at least nine votes in favor from the 15-member council and must avoid vetoes from any of the five permanent members [https://www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa/us-asks-un-lift-sanctions-syrias-president-ahead-white-house-visit-1277586]. 3. **Context of the Meeting** - The meeting between President Trump and al-Sharaa is seen as a pivotal moment that could reshape U.S. policy towards Syria, which has been largely adversarial since the onset of the Syrian civil war [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-asks-un-to-lift-sanctions-on-syrias-president-ahead-of-white-house-visit]. 4. **Potential Implications** - Lifting sanctions could signal a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy, potentially leading to increased diplomatic relations and economic engagement with Syria [https://news.liga.net/en/world/news/reuters-us-asks-un-to-lift-sanctions-on-syrian-president-before-white-house-visit]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Sanctions Overview**: The sanctions currently in place target key figures in the Syrian government, including President al-Sharaa and the interior minister, due to their roles in the ongoing conflict and human rights abuses. - **Voting Dynamics**: The U.S. needs to navigate complex geopolitical relationships, particularly with Russia and China, who may oppose the lifting of sanctions due to their support for the Syrian government [https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025/11/04/us-pressures-un-to-vote-on-lifting-sanctions-against-syrias-ahmad-al-shara]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for US-Syria Relations In summary, the U.S. is making a strategic move to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa ahead of a significant diplomatic meeting with President Trump. This initiative could represent a turning point in U.S.-Syria relations, contingent upon the successful passage of the resolution through the UN Security Council. 1. **Strategic Objective**: The U.S. seeks to enhance diplomatic ties with Syria by lifting sanctions [https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-seeks-un-nod-to-lift-sanctions-on-syrian-president-al-sharaa-ahead-of-white-house-visit-13948237.html]. 2. **Approval Process**: The resolution requires nine votes and no vetoes from permanent members [https://www.tbsnews.net/worldbiz/usa/us-asks-un-lift-sanctions-syrias-president-ahead-white-house-visit-1277586]. 3. **Geopolitical Context**: The meeting could reshape U.S. policy towards Syria, which has been largely adversarial [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-asks-un-to-lift-sanctions-on-syrias-president-ahead-of-white-house-visit]. 4. **Implications**: A successful resolution could lead to increased engagement and a shift in U.S. foreign policy [https://news.liga.net/en/world/news/reuters-us-asks-un-to-lift-sanctions-on-syrian-president-before-white-house-visit].