The bombs fell first. Then came the handshake. As U.S. warplanes struck ISIS targets across Syria, the Trump administration quietly shifted course, opening diplomatic channels with Damascus and lifting long-standing sanctions.

Supporters describe the move as a bold reset. Critics call it a dangerous betrayal. In a single day, U.S. policy swung from isolation to engagement, from punishment to negotiation.

The airstrikes allowed Washington to project strength, reinforcing the message that American military power still shapes events on the ground. ISIS positions were hit hard, and the White House emphasized resolve and deterrence.

Yet behind closed doors, a different message emerged. A meeting between U.S. envoy Tom Barrack and Syria’s new leadership signaled a willingness to test diplomacy, despite years of hostility and condemnation.

Lifting sanctions was framed as “giving Syria a chance.” The administration argued that economic pressure had failed to deliver change and that conditional engagement might encourage reform and stability.

For Syrians devastated by years of war, the decision carries enormous stakes. Sanctions relief could open paths to reconstruction and relief—or entrench a regime critics say remains linked to repression and abuse.

In Washington, the move has divided opinion. Some see strategic pragmatism aimed at counterterrorism and regional balance. Others warn it risks legitimizing a government many still hold responsible for mass suffering.

History will judge the gamble. The policy shift could help stabilize a fractured region—or become a cautionary tale of moral compromise. For now, Syria stands at a crossroads shaped by bombs, bargains, and uncertain promises.