Executive Summary:
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On May 23, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington would begin easing sanctions on Syria, stating the measure would benefit Lebanon. After enduring multiple overlapping crises since 2019—financial collapse, economic decline, security instability, and deteriorating living conditions—Lebanon finds potential opportunity in this policy shift. The sanctions rollback could help address the country’s chronic electricity shortages, generate revenue for the financially strained government, and stimulate business activity.
This LCAT report, “Syria Sanctions Relief: Opportunities and Challenges,” examines both the prospects and obstacles Lebanon faces from U.S. sanctions easing on Syria, providing crucial insights for humanitarian and aid organizations operating in the region.
By Crisis Analytics Team, Mercy Corps Lebanon
