Relationship dossier
Syria
United States
Relationship assessment
A history of sanctions and military confrontation, with limited episodes of cooperation
Syria toward United States
-70The Syrian government joined the US-led coalition against Iraq in 1991, but relations later became sharply adversarial. The Assad government opposed US policy in the region and denounced US sanctions and military operations in Syria. The change of government in 2024 makes the continuity of Syrian policy toward the United States uncertain.
United States toward Syria
-80The United States imposed extensive sanctions on Syria, suspended embassy operations in Damascus in 2012, and conducted strikes against Syrian government targets in 2017 and 2018. It also maintained a military presence in Syria as part of operations against ISIS. These actions formed a sustained pattern of confrontation with the Assad government.
Overall relationship
-75The relationship was shaped principally by prolonged US sanctions and diplomatic estrangement, followed by direct US strikes on Syrian government targets and a continuing US military presence in Syria. Limited cooperation, including Syria's participation in the 1991 coalition against Iraq, was outweighed by these enduring adversarial features. The change in Syria's government in 2024 leaves the longer-term bilateral structure uncertain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations between Syria and the United States were marked for decades by sanctions, diplomatic estrangement and direct military confrontation. The United States imposed extensive sanctions and carried out strikes against Syrian government targets in 2017 and 2018, while maintaining forces in Syria during the campaign against ISIS. Earlier episodes of limited cooperation, including Syrian participation in the 1991 coalition against Iraq, did not outweigh the sustained conflict. The Syrian government’s change in 2024 makes the extent of continuity in bilateral policy uncertain.
Areas of tension
- US sanctions on Syria
- US military presence in Syria
- US strikes against Syrian government targets
- Disputes over US support for armed groups operating in Syria
Key developments
Syria participated in the US-led coalition against Iraq during the Gulf War.
The United States suspended operations at its embassy in Damascus amid escalating violence in Syria.
The United States struck a Syrian government airbase following a chemical weapons attack in Khan Shaykhun.
The United States joined allied strikes on Syrian government targets related to chemical weapons.
Major uncertainties
- The extent to which Syrian foreign policy changed after the 2024 change of government is unclear.
- The future scope of US sanctions and military presence in Syria is uncertain.