Trump Administration Plans to Reopen Embassy in Syria After 14 Years/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has notified Congress of plans to reopen the U.S. Embassy in Syria after 14 years. A phased approach will begin soon, though no timeline has been set for a full return. The move follows political changes in Syria and a broader diplomatic reset.
US Plans to Reopen Embassy in Syria After 14 Years Quick Looks
- U.S. Embassy in Damascus closed in 2012
- Congress notified of phased reopening plan
- Preparatory spending to begin shortly
- No date yet for full diplomatic return
- Discussions began after Assad’s ouster in 2024
- Envoy Tom Barrack leading rapprochement efforts
- Syria joins anti–Islamic State coalition talks
- Embassy plans remain classified
Deep Look: Trump Administration Plans to Reopen Embassy in Syria After 14 Years
The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to potentially reopen the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, marking the first major step toward restoring formal diplomatic operations in Syria since the mission was shuttered in 2012 during the country’s civil war.
The U.S. State Department recently informed congressional committees of its “intent to implement a phased approach” to resume embassy operations. According to the notification, planning funds are expected to be made available within 15 days of the February notice. However, officials have not offered a clear timeline for when the embassy would fully reopen or when American personnel would return on a permanent basis.
The embassy closure in 2012 came as Syria descended into prolonged conflict and relations between Washington and the government of Bashar al-Assad collapsed. The current push to reopen follows significant political changes in the country, including Assad’s ouster in December 2024 and the rise of a new leadership under former rebel Ahmad al-Sharaa.
President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about Syria’s direction under al-Sharaa, telling reporters that the new president is “doing a phenomenal job” and suggesting the country is beginning to stabilize after years of unrest.
The diplomatic effort has been driven in large part by Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria. Barrack has advocated for rebuilding relations with Damascus, lifting U.S. sanctions, and reintegrating Syria into regional and international frameworks.
Last May, Barrack visited Damascus and raised the American flag at the embassy compound in a symbolic gesture, although operations were not formally resumed at that time. The visit signaled that Washington was exploring a gradual restoration of diplomatic ties.
The potential reopening also aligns with shifting security dynamics. Syria recently participated in coalition discussions aimed at combating the Islamic State militant group. While the United States has reduced its military footprint in Syria, cooperation on counterterrorism remains a shared priority.
Officials have indicated that the reopening would follow a phased model similar to other diplomatic restorations, potentially beginning with temporary staff operating from interim facilities before expanding to a full mission.
Details of the embassy plans remain classified, and the State Department has declined to provide additional specifics beyond confirming that Congress was notified.
If completed, the reopening would represent a significant milestone in U.S.–Syria relations, signaling a move from years of isolation toward cautious diplomatic reengagement. The ultimate pace of progress will likely depend on security conditions, political stability, and the evolving relationship between Washington and Syria’s new government.
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