The NPR Politics Podcast Trump's Next Foreign Policy Challenge: Syria
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Feb 27, 2025 
Jane Arraf, an NPR international correspondent reporting from Damascus, shares her deep insights into Syria's post-civil war landscape. She discusses the delicate governance under Ahmed Ashara amidst skepticism from the U.S. and highlights the rich, yet fractured, ethnic and religious tapestry of the nation. Arraf also addresses the impact of U.S. sanctions on recovery efforts, the challenges of normalizing relations with America, and the role of U.S. troops in preventing ISIS resurgence while navigating a complex geopolitical climate.
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Syrian Refugee's Success
- Abdul Wahab Omeera, a Syrian teenager, developed a method for nuclear waste disposal and received a patent at 14.
- After being imprisoned and witnessing torture, he fled to the U.S., excelled at Stanford, and now develops apps to help Syrian farmers.
Obstacles to Return
- Many Syrian refugees want to return home, but obstacles like destroyed homes and lack of jobs prevent them.
- Sanctions further hinder rebuilding efforts by limiting funds and investment.
Trump's Syria Stance
- Trump's stance on Syria seems dismissive, prioritizing a pivot away from the Middle East.
- However, regional upheavals, like the fall of the Assad regime, necessitate a reassessment of U.S. policy.