Optimism is rising in Syria following U.S. President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement to lift sanctions, made in Riyadh. The move offers relief to Syrians hoping for reintegration into the global economy and an influx of investment after decades of authoritarian rule and nearly 14 years of war. The statement, following Bashar al-Assad’s December ouster, immediately boosted the Syrian pound by 25% against the U.S. dollar. Economist Ibrahim Nafi Qushji called it a turning point, suggesting the Syrian economy could shift from engaging with developing nations to integrating with advanced economies, potentially reshaping trade and investment relations significantly.