US lawmaker urges ending Syria sanctions to prevent ISIS resurgence

Republican Senator Joe Wilson has publicly called for the complete repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, arguing that the continued enforcement of the sanctions undermines Syria’s post-war reconstruction and inadvertently contributes to the resurgence of extremist groups, including ISIS.

Wilson—who also chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East—made his remarks via a statement on his official social media platform, X, Caliber.Az reports.

While I appreciate the intent of my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee and @RepMikeLawler for bringing up the timely issue of streamlining Syria sanctions, I believe that a clean repeal of the Caesar Act is most in line with the President’s agenda to “give Syria a…

— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) July 21, 2025

In his message, he emphasized the need for a policy shift, asserting that the sanctions regime is no longer aligned with US strategic interests in the region.

“While I appreciate the intent of my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee and Representative Mike Lawler for bringing up the timely issue of streamlining Syria sanctions, I believe that a clean repeal of the Caesar Act is most in line with the President’s agenda to ‘give Syria a chance.’ Keeping Caesar on the books for years will only deter long term reconstruction which could help ISIS resurgence.”

The senator’s comments come in response to a new legislative proposal introduced by Congressman Mike Lawler, which is scheduled for a vote on July 22. The proposed bill aims to extend the Caesar Act’s provisions until a comprehensive review of several key sectors of the Syrian government is completed. The legislation is positioned as a safeguard to ensure accountability within the Assad regime.

Enacted in 2019, the Caesar Act authorizes wide-ranging sanctions against the Syrian government and any entities—foreign or domestic—conducting business with it.

Named after the Syrian photographer who bravely shared with the world thousands of photographs documenting torture in Assad’s prisons, the Caesar Act provides the US government a powerful way to promote accountability for the regime’s atrocities.

By Vafa Guliyeva