# Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023: What It Actually Does

This bill is essentially a hard line against Syria's government under Bashar al-Assad. It says the United States will not recognize or do business with Assad's government, and it tries to prevent other countries from doing so either. Think of it as the U.S. drawing a firm boundary and asking allies to do the same.

The bill strengthens existing economic penalties against Syria by expanding what kinds of activities trigger sanctions. It adds new restrictions on things like selling aircraft parts to Syria, diverting humanitarian aid meant for Syrian civilians, stealing property, and providing financial support to people doing these things. It also targets Syrian Arab Airlines and Cham Wings Airlines more directly. The bill makes clear that energy deals with Syria—like natural gas or electricity transactions—count as significant economic activity that can be sanctioned, even if someone had a special permission slip from the government before this law passed. Basically, it closes loopholes that might have allowed some business to continue.

The bill also requires the State Department to report annually on which countries are trying to normalize relations with Assad's government and what deals they're making with Syria. This includes tracking diplomatic meetings, investments, and contracts over $50,000 in Assad-controlled areas. The government has to identify which of these deals might violate sanctions laws. Additionally, the State Department must investigate how the United Nations operates in Syria and whether Assad's government is manipulating aid programs or extracting money unfairly.

For most Americans, this bill won't have a direct impact on daily life. However, it could affect anyone doing international business with Syria or companies that work with Syrian entities—they could face U.S. penalties. It also signals a tough stance on Syria that could influence American foreign policy and relationships with Middle Eastern countries that might want to restore ties with Assad.

Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023

Wilson, Joe

Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 This bill prohibits federal officials or employees from taking any action to recognize a Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad. The bill also expands existing sanctions related to the Syrian conflict to cover additional activities and persons (individuals and entities). Current law requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons engaged in certain activities related to the conflict in Syria. For example, such sanctions must be imposed on those that knowingly (1) are responsible for serious human rights abuses against the Syrian people, or (2) provide aircraft or spare aircraft parts for military purposes on behalf of the Syrian government to a foreign person operating in certain areas of Syria. This bill expands the types of activities that would subject a foreign person to sanctions, including knowingly (1) providing any type of aircraft or spare aircraft parts to the Syrian government, (2) diverting humanitarian assistance intended for the Syrian people, or (3) confiscating property in Syria or owned by a Syrian citizen for personal gain or political purposes. The bill also extends these sanctions to entities owned or controlled by a sanctioned person and to a sanctioned person's adult family members. Additionally, the bill removes an exception to the sanctions related to the importation of goods. The Department of State must provide Congress with a strategy to counter foreign government efforts to normalize relations with the Bashar al-Assad regime.