Mon Jul 07 18:39:14 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

In July 2025, the United States revoked the “foreign terrorist organization” designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Al-Nusra Front and once linked to Al-Qaeda. This move follows the toppling of the Assad regime in Syria by an HTS-led rebel coalition under Ahmed al-Sharaa, who became interim president. The U.S. and other Western nations, including Britain, have been steadily re-engaging with Syria, lifting sanctions and re-establishing diplomatic ties, driven by Saudi and Turkish appeals to reintegrate Syria into the global economy. Sharaa, once a wanted jihadist, is now being cautiously welcomed on the world stage as he attempts to rebuild the war-torn country.

**News Article:**

**U.S. Revokes Terror Designation for HTS as Syria Rebuilds Under New Leadership**

**Washington, D.C. – July 8, 2025** – In a move signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, the United States has revoked the “foreign terrorist organization” designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that led the rebellion that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo yesterday, July 7th, formally removing the designation of the group, previously known as al-Nusrah Front and once affiliated with al-Qaeda. This decision comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s dismantling of most U.S. sanctions against Syria in May, following appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The Syrian rebellion, sparked by protests in 2011, culminated in the overthrow of the Assad regime, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of HTS. Mr. Sharaa now serves as Syria’s interim president.

“This decision reflects the evolving landscape in Syria and our assessment of the current leadership’s commitment to stability and cooperation,” a State Department spokesperson said.

The move by the U.S. is part of a broader trend of international re-engagement with Syria. Britain re-established diplomatic ties on Saturday, and has lifted sanctions on Syrian entities. The international community hopes that the five-year transitional period, will help rebuild the country and revitalized Syria’s economy.

**Indian Perspective and Considerations:**

This development could have significant implications for India.
* **Regional Stability:** A stable Syria could lead to reduced geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, benefiting India’s energy security and trade routes.
* **Counter-Terrorism:** India will likely be closely monitoring the situation to ensure that HTS’s transformation is genuine and that the group does not pose a future threat.
* **Economic Opportunities:** As Syria rebuilds, there could be opportunities for Indian companies in sectors like infrastructure, technology, and healthcare.

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