A stunning new report from Intelligence Online, a publication with close ties to French intelligence, has uncovered the covert forces that allegedly influenced the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria—revealing a tangled web of political backchannels, business interests, and foreign cash.
At the center of the revelations is the Syrian-American Alliance for Peace & Prosperity (SAAPP), a little-known yet influential organization led by businesswoman Alia Natafgi. Though low-profile, SAAPP has reportedly wielded significant influence in Washington, advocating for renewed U.S.-Syria engagement under the banner of economic development and peacebuilding.
One of the most eye-catching figures involved is Tarek Nayemo, a developer with close ties to both Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s powerful Public Investment Fund. According to the report, Nayemo pushed for major reconstruction efforts in Syria, even floating the idea of building a “Trump Tower Damascus.” His pitch, like much of the lobbying, was rooted in economic opportunity rather than political reform.
The lobbying effort gained traction through backchannels to the Republican Party. SAAPP is said to have orchestrated the first U.S. congressional delegation to visit Damascus in years, bringing Representatives Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman to meet with Syrian officials. The visit was kept largely out of public view but marked a significant shift in the tone of U.S. engagement with the Assad regime.
The timing of the sanctions rollback has raised eyebrows. Former President Trump, whose influence still shapes Republican foreign policy, reportedly gave his blessing to the move after talks with Saudi officials. Notably, the decision came without any new conditions imposed on Syria’s government—a stark departure from previous U.S. policy. As Intelligence Online bluntly summarized, “For Trump, business trumped geopolitics.”
The revelations have sparked outrage and confusion in both Washington and Europe. French intelligence officials described the report as a “revelation” highlighting how U.S. lobbying machinery can override long-standing foreign policy positions. Meanwhile, in D.C., the decision has opened a rift within the Republican Party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, an outspoken critic of the Assad regime, issued a stark warning about what he called the Syrian government’s “imminent collapse,” distancing himself from the quietly growing chorus advocating engagement.
The story paints a picture of a foreign policy increasingly driven by private profit and opaque lobbying networks. While the official U.S. position remains cautious, the sanctions relief signals a possible thaw that may be less about diplomacy—and more about dollars.
