This timely brief by Vittorio Maresca di Serracapriola unpacks the evolving legislative landscape in Washington, where two competing amendments are reshaping the future of U.S. sanctions on Syria.
On 9 October 2025, the U.S. Senate passed the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which now incorporates both:
– Amendment 3662 (Shaheen)
— full repeal of the Caesar Act
– Amendment 3899 (Graham–Van Hollen)
— conditional suspension of sanctions, with a built-in certification mechanism
What’s inside:
Repeal vs. Suspension
— the competing visions behind Amendments 3662 and 3899 Snapback Mechanism
— how sanctions could return if benchmarks are unmet Investor Uncertainty
— why six-month waivers are no longer enough What Comes Next
— conference committee negotiations and the risk of reversal
Why it matters
The Caesar Act, Washington’s most stringent sanctions law on Syria, is now facing possible repeal, as the Senate attached an amendment asking for repeal to a must-pass bill. The outcome will shape not only Syria’s post-war recovery, but also U.S. leverage, accountability efforts, and investor confidence in reconstruction.