The United States’ sudden move to lift sanctions on Syria is sending shockwaves through global compliance and trade networks. As the regulatory landscape shifts, organizations must quickly adapt to new risks and opportunities — making robust, real-time sanctions screening tools like BITE Data more essential than ever.

A Landmark Policy Change

On May 13, 2025, President Donald Trump announced during a visit to Saudi Arabia that the US would lift decades-old sanctions on Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the rise of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The move, influenced by regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, is intended to support Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration into the global economy after years of conflict and isolation.

While the announcement has generated optimism within Syria and among international investors, the process of unwinding US sanctions is complex. The existing sanctions regime is a web of executive orders, statutes, and international designations — some of which can be lifted at the President’s discretion, while others require congressional notification or international coordination.

The Compliance Challenge: Unwinding Sanctions Is Not Instant

The US sanctions on Syria include both discretionary and statutory measures. While the President can rescind some restrictions, others — such as Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) and the listing of groups like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) — require additional procedural steps and certifications to Congress. This means that, even as the policy shifts, many sanctioned individuals and entities may remain blacklisted for weeks or months.

For businesses, banks, and humanitarian organizations eager to re-engage with Syria, this creates a period of heightened risk. Transactions that appear permissible today could still run afoul of residual restrictions, especially as US agencies work to clarify, update, and publish new lists of sanctioned parties.

How BITE Data Supports Dynamic Sanctions Compliance

BITE Data is designed to help organizations navigate precisely this kind of regulatory uncertainty. Here’s how:

• Real-Time List Updates: BITE Data aggregates over 350 global watchlists — including those from US, EU, and UN authorities — and updates them as frequently as the source agencies provide new information. This ensures users are screening against the most current data, even as sanctions lists change rapidly.
• AI-Driven Entity Resolution: With advanced AI matching, BITE helps users accurately identify sanctioned entities, even when names are misspelled or aliases are used.
• US-Specific Screening: BITE’s U.S. Restricted Parties Lens allows for rapid, targeted screening against US government sanctions lists, helping organizations spot individuals and entities that remain restricted as the Syria sanctions are dismantled.
• Bulk and Automated Screening: For organizations with large volumes of transactions or counterparties, BITE offers bulk screening and API access, streamlining compliance workflows and reducing the risk of manual error.
• Comprehensive Data Modules: Beyond sanctions, BITE provides data on politically exposed persons (PEPs), beneficial ownership, forced labor, and dual-use goods — critical for holistic risk management in volatile jurisdictions.
• Training and Playbooks: BITE offers real-world compliance playbooks and training resources to help teams stay up to date on best practices as regulations evolve.

Why This Matters Now

As the US government scrambles to implement the Syria policy shift, the risk of inadvertent violations remains high. The process will likely involve a phased removal of restrictions, with some entities and sectors cleared for business before others. For compliance teams, the ability to screen counterparties against the latest lists — hourly, if necessary — is not just a best practice, but a necessity.

BITE Data’s platform is purpose-built for this environment, offering the agility, accuracy, and breadth needed to keep pace with regulatory change. As new opportunities open in Syria and elsewhere, organizations using BITE can move quickly and confidently, knowing they are working with the most up-to-date compliance intelligence available.

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Tags: Denied Party Screening; Restricted Party Screening; Import/Export Flags; Customs Flags and Classification; SAM.gov Entity Exclusions; US CIA World Factbook Heads of State and Government; US State Department Senior Officials; HHS - List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE); OFAC / SDN - Office of Foreign Assets Control - Specially Designated Nationals; Swiss SECO Sanctions/Embargoes; Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI); Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES); Ineligible Firms and Individuals; Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV); Wikidata Politically Exposed Persons; Global Trade Alerts; FDA Import Alerts.