Delaney Simon
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
Senior Analyst, U.S. Program @crisisgroup. Before, UN in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Yemen. New here. Usual caveats. https://www.crisisgroup.org/who-we-are/people/delaney-simon
Pinned
It’s Not That Easy to Lift Sanctions on Syria
Other presidents have struggled with political and logistical obstacles when trying to effect a rollback.
foreignpolicy.com
My latest in @foreignpolicy.com. Trump has promised to lift sanctions on Syria. I explain why it's not that easy to fully end the sanctions—and their effects.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/t...
Reposted by Delaney Simon
Very pleased to see this report out. Core lesson from this short-lived experience is that Washington was right to impose consequences on settler violence, but sanctions alone are a limited tool absent a broader policy on settlements. Great to work with my old friends @centuryintl.bsky.social on this
I wrote about the Biden administration's efforts to sanction Israeli settlers for @centuryintl.bsky.social.
The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired.
tcf.org/content/comm...
🧵 1/5
The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired.
tcf.org/content/comm...
🧵 1/5
The Lessons of the Biden Administration’s Efforts to Sanction Israeli Settlers
Among the possible U.S. policies to reign in Israeli excesses, measures targeting illegal settlements in the West Bank might seem to be relatively
tcf.org
June 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Very pleased to see this report out. Core lesson from this short-lived experience is that Washington was right to impose consequences on settler violence, but sanctions alone are a limited tool absent a broader policy on settlements. Great to work with my old friends @centuryintl.bsky.social on this
I wrote about the Biden administration's efforts to sanction Israeli settlers for @centuryintl.bsky.social.
The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired.
tcf.org/content/comm...
🧵 1/5
The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired.
tcf.org/content/comm...
🧵 1/5
The Lessons of the Biden Administration’s Efforts to Sanction Israeli Settlers
Among the possible U.S. policies to reign in Israeli excesses, measures targeting illegal settlements in the West Bank might seem to be relatively
tcf.org
June 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I wrote about the Biden administration's efforts to sanction Israeli settlers for @centuryintl.bsky.social.
The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired.
tcf.org/content/comm...
🧵 1/5
The program had some real successes, but in other ways, it backfired.
tcf.org/content/comm...
🧵 1/5
Tune in to my interview on the CBC with Canadian journalism legend Susan Ormiston. I discuss with the great @edwardfishman.bsky.social and Andrea Charron whether economic punishment actually shapes behavior — or just creates diplomatic noise.🎙️
Listen here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Listen here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
June 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Tune in to my interview on the CBC with Canadian journalism legend Susan Ormiston. I discuss with the great @edwardfishman.bsky.social and Andrea Charron whether economic punishment actually shapes behavior — or just creates diplomatic noise.🎙️
Listen here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Listen here: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
My latest in @foreignpolicy.com. Trump has promised to lift sanctions on Syria. I explain why it's not that easy to fully end the sanctions—and their effects.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/t...
It’s Not That Easy to Lift Sanctions on Syria
Other presidents have struggled with political and logistical obstacles when trying to effect a rollback.
foreignpolicy.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:31 AM
My latest in @foreignpolicy.com. Trump has promised to lift sanctions on Syria. I explain why it's not that easy to fully end the sanctions—and their effects.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/t...
🚨NEW @crisisgroup.org REPORT
Libya's $70 billion sovereign wealth fund has been under UN #sanctions since the revolt against Muammar al-Qadhafi in 2011. The sanctions remain in place more a decade after his death.🧵
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Libya's $70 billion sovereign wealth fund has been under UN #sanctions since the revolt against Muammar al-Qadhafi in 2011. The sanctions remain in place more a decade after his death.🧵
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Frozen Billions: Reforming Sanctions on the Libyan Investment Authority | Crisis Group
Libya’s sovereign wealth fund has been under UN sanctions since the revolt against Muammar al-Qadhafi in 2011. These measures restrict investment that would enlarge the fund. The UN has eased them, bu...
www.crisisgroup.org
April 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
🚨NEW @crisisgroup.org REPORT
Libya's $70 billion sovereign wealth fund has been under UN #sanctions since the revolt against Muammar al-Qadhafi in 2011. The sanctions remain in place more a decade after his death.🧵
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Libya's $70 billion sovereign wealth fund has been under UN #sanctions since the revolt against Muammar al-Qadhafi in 2011. The sanctions remain in place more a decade after his death.🧵
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Important article on how the West, and especially the U.S., cannot figure out how to lift sanctions. But they are very good at imposing them. www.justsecurity.org/108458/sanct...
To Support Peace Efforts, the West Needs a Coordinated Way to Effectively Reduce Sanctions
Western leaders don't know how to lift economic and financial sanctions once a war ends and elongated sanctions regimes need to be changed.
www.justsecurity.org
March 6, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Important article on how the West, and especially the U.S., cannot figure out how to lift sanctions. But they are very good at imposing them. www.justsecurity.org/108458/sanct...
Key members of Syria’s interim government are under UN sanctions, prolonging the country’s humanitarian crisis. For @crisisgroup.org, @jeromed.bsky.social @mayaungar.bsky.social & I explain why the UN Security Council should consider starting the delisting process
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Rethinking UN Sanctions on Syria’s Interim Leaders | Crisis Group
Key members of Syria’s interim government remain under UN sanctions, prolonging the country’s humanitarian crisis and hampering reconstruction. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts explain why the UN Sec...
www.crisisgroup.org
March 3, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Key members of Syria’s interim government are under UN sanctions, prolonging the country’s humanitarian crisis. For @crisisgroup.org, @jeromed.bsky.social @mayaungar.bsky.social & I explain why the UN Security Council should consider starting the delisting process
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-...
Chris Newton and I explain in our @crisisgroup.org commentary how U.S. aid cuts will make famine more likely and easier to hide.
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
1/
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
1/
U.S. Aid Cuts Make Famine More Likely and Easier to Hide | Crisis Group
The Trump administration has put a 90-day hold on most U.S. foreign aid, with devastating effects on the system built over decades for preventing famine. The result may be more and deadlier famines, w...
www.crisisgroup.org
February 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Chris Newton and I explain in our @crisisgroup.org commentary how U.S. aid cuts will make famine more likely and easier to hide.
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
1/
www.crisisgroup.org/united-state...
1/
Reposted by Delaney Simon
International Crisis Group’s Delaney Simon on U.S. sanctions relief for Syria, arguing that more is needed, faster.
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@lawfare.bsky.social
@crisisgroup.org
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@lawfare.bsky.social
@crisisgroup.org
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
U.S. Sanctions Relief for Syria Is an Important Start, but Not Enough
The Trump administration must offer bolder reforms if it wants to prevent the new Syria from descending into chaos.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
International Crisis Group’s Delaney Simon on U.S. sanctions relief for Syria, arguing that more is needed, faster.
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@lawfare.bsky.social
@crisisgroup.org
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@lawfare.bsky.social
@crisisgroup.org
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
Reposted by Delaney Simon
@delaneysimon.bsky.social for @lawfare.bsky.social on the limitations of U.S. sanctions relief so far for post-Assad Syria, and what more the Trump administration should now do to help stabilize the country's economy: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
U.S. Sanctions Relief for Syria Is an Important Start, but Not Enough
The Trump administration must offer bolder reforms if it wants to prevent the new Syria from descending into chaos.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
@delaneysimon.bsky.social for @lawfare.bsky.social on the limitations of U.S. sanctions relief so far for post-Assad Syria, and what more the Trump administration should now do to help stabilize the country's economy: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
Reposted by Delaney Simon
"Washington should take advantage of the opportunity to shape Syria’s future for the better and remove the obstacles it has placed in its path. Inaction could place a millstone around Syria’s neck."
Smart view on Syria sanctions from @delaneysimon.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
Smart view on Syria sanctions from @delaneysimon.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
U.S. Sanctions Relief for Syria Is an Important Start, but Not Enough
The Trump administration must offer bolder reforms if it wants to prevent the new Syria from descending into chaos.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"Washington should take advantage of the opportunity to shape Syria’s future for the better and remove the obstacles it has placed in its path. Inaction could place a millstone around Syria’s neck."
Smart view on Syria sanctions from @delaneysimon.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
Smart view on Syria sanctions from @delaneysimon.bsky.social.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
Reposted by Delaney Simon
Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian people have serious challenges as they rebuild their society—including U.S. sanctions. @delaneysimon.bsky.social explains the reforms the Trump administration could implement to prevent Syria from descending into chaos.
U.S. Sanctions Relief for Syria Is an Important Start, but Not Enough
The Trump administration must offer bolder reforms if it wants to prevent the new Syria from descending into chaos.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian people have serious challenges as they rebuild their society—including U.S. sanctions. @delaneysimon.bsky.social explains the reforms the Trump administration could implement to prevent Syria from descending into chaos.
As I wrote in @lawfare.bsky.social, President Trump should offer bolder sanctions reforms than Biden did if he wants to prevent Syria from descending into chaos. 1/3 🧵
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
U.S. Sanctions Relief for Syria Is an Important Start, but Not Enough
The Trump administration must offer bolder reforms if it wants to prevent the new Syria from descending into chaos.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
As I wrote in @lawfare.bsky.social, President Trump should offer bolder sanctions reforms than Biden did if he wants to prevent Syria from descending into chaos. 1/3 🧵
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/u.s....
Reposted by Delaney Simon
Syria’s new leaders seem eager to curry favor with the West, and international leaders should engage with them to set Syria up for success, argue @delaneysimon.bsky.social, Graeme Smith, and Jerome Drevon.
Don’t Repeat in Syria the Mistakes of Afghanistan
Isolating Damascus's new rulers won't moderate them.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Syria’s new leaders seem eager to curry favor with the West, and international leaders should engage with them to set Syria up for success, argue @delaneysimon.bsky.social, Graeme Smith, and Jerome Drevon.
Reposted by Delaney Simon
When trying to gauge the possible impact of the lifting of sanctions on Syria, many analysts look back at when the EU lifted sanctions on Iran in 2016. At the time, EU companies struggled. www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/...
European talks on Syria sanctions relief overshadowed by doubts on Trump’s moves | The National
EU efforts widely hailed as important but full co-ordination must wait for Washington’s new rulers
www.thenationalnews.com
January 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
When trying to gauge the possible impact of the lifting of sanctions on Syria, many analysts look back at when the EU lifted sanctions on Iran in 2016. At the time, EU companies struggled. www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/...
Reposted by Delaney Simon
European foreign ministers are coordinating on how to (partially) lift sanctions on Syria at their next meeting in Brussels on the 27th.
While it's a move that is likely to be widely welcomed, there's a big question mark around what the US will do, @delaneysimon.bsky.social tells me
While it's a move that is likely to be widely welcomed, there's a big question mark around what the US will do, @delaneysimon.bsky.social tells me
January 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
European foreign ministers are coordinating on how to (partially) lift sanctions on Syria at their next meeting in Brussels on the 27th.
While it's a move that is likely to be widely welcomed, there's a big question mark around what the US will do, @delaneysimon.bsky.social tells me
While it's a move that is likely to be widely welcomed, there's a big question mark around what the US will do, @delaneysimon.bsky.social tells me
Reposted by Delaney Simon
Good work on web of syria sanctions in work by @delaneysimon.bsky.social and @crisisgroup.org colleagues foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/do…
And @alexzerden.bsky.social Scott anderson @lawfare.bsky.social
lawfaremedia.org/article/our-ma���
And @alexzerden.bsky.social Scott anderson @lawfare.bsky.social
lawfaremedia.org/article/our-ma���
https://foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/do…
January 6, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Good work on web of syria sanctions in work by @delaneysimon.bsky.social and @crisisgroup.org colleagues foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/do…
And @alexzerden.bsky.social Scott anderson @lawfare.bsky.social
lawfaremedia.org/article/our-ma���
And @alexzerden.bsky.social Scott anderson @lawfare.bsky.social
lawfaremedia.org/article/our-ma���
Reposted by Delaney Simon
@delaneysimon.bsky.social, @graemesmith.bsky.social & @jeromed.bsky.social on learning from #Afghanistan in #Syria is great. The need to give HTS "adequate clarity about how to gain diplomatic recognition and shake off sanctions" is universal for transitions. www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
Don’t Repeat in Syria the Mistakes of Afghanistan
Isolating Damascus's new rulers won't moderate them.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
@delaneysimon.bsky.social, @graemesmith.bsky.social & @jeromed.bsky.social on learning from #Afghanistan in #Syria is great. The need to give HTS "adequate clarity about how to gain diplomatic recognition and shake off sanctions" is universal for transitions. www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
Reposted by Delaney Simon
Importat timely piece on syria sanctions policy from @delaneysimon.bsky.social and @crisisgroup.org colleagues @foreignaffairs.com They highlight importance of both quick humanitarian relief channels AND need for clear signals on what would be needed for broad sanctions relief.
t.co/D9z5KOSsd7
t.co/D9z5KOSsd7
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/dont-repeat-syria-mistakes-afghanistan
t.co
January 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Importat timely piece on syria sanctions policy from @delaneysimon.bsky.social and @crisisgroup.org colleagues @foreignaffairs.com They highlight importance of both quick humanitarian relief channels AND need for clear signals on what would be needed for broad sanctions relief.
t.co/D9z5KOSsd7
t.co/D9z5KOSsd7
Reposted by Delaney Simon
Good free-to-read @foreignaffairs.com piece piece on how the USA and Europe appear set to wreck Syria’s transition by simply defaulting to economic warfare for lack of clear ideas.
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@jeromed.bsky.social
@graemesmithauthor.bsky.social
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@jeromed.bsky.social
@graemesmithauthor.bsky.social
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
Don’t Repeat in Syria the Mistakes of Afghanistan
Isolating Damascus's new rulers won't moderate them.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Good free-to-read @foreignaffairs.com piece piece on how the USA and Europe appear set to wreck Syria’s transition by simply defaulting to economic warfare for lack of clear ideas.
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@jeromed.bsky.social
@graemesmithauthor.bsky.social
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
@delaneysimon.bsky.social
@jeromed.bsky.social
@graemesmithauthor.bsky.social
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
In @foreignaffairs.com, @graemesmithauthor.bsky.social, @jeromed.bsky.social and I urge Western policymakers to make better choices in #Syria than they did in #Afghanistan, or risk sabotaging Syria's transition 🧵1/
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
Don’t Repeat in Syria the Mistakes of Afghanistan
Isolating Damascus's new rulers won't moderate them.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
In @foreignaffairs.com, @graemesmithauthor.bsky.social, @jeromed.bsky.social and I urge Western policymakers to make better choices in #Syria than they did in #Afghanistan, or risk sabotaging Syria's transition 🧵1/
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
www.foreignaffairs.com/afghanistan/...
Illuminating essay by @abujamajem.com in @foreignaffairs.com.
“It is in everyone’s interest that Syria succeed... Interested countries now need to do everything they can to ensure that the worst fears about a post-Assad Syria do not come to pass.”
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ho...
“It is in everyone’s interest that Syria succeed... Interested countries now need to do everything they can to ensure that the worst fears about a post-Assad Syria do not come to pass.”
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ho...
How to Hold Syria Together
In the wake of Assad’s fall, the biggest threat is chaos.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 18, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Illuminating essay by @abujamajem.com in @foreignaffairs.com.
“It is in everyone’s interest that Syria succeed... Interested countries now need to do everything they can to ensure that the worst fears about a post-Assad Syria do not come to pass.”
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ho...
“It is in everyone’s interest that Syria succeed... Interested countries now need to do everything they can to ensure that the worst fears about a post-Assad Syria do not come to pass.”
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ho...
"When Syria rebuilds, it's going to have to move beyond the illicit economy. It will have to reinvigorate industry and the banking sector. This will be really difficult with sanctions in place." My interview with @mattgalloway.bsky.social on
@cbcradiocanada.bsky.social
cbc.ca/listen/live-...
@cbcradiocanada.bsky.social
cbc.ca/listen/live-...
December 18, 2024 at 12:12 PM
"When Syria rebuilds, it's going to have to move beyond the illicit economy. It will have to reinvigorate industry and the banking sector. This will be really difficult with sanctions in place." My interview with @mattgalloway.bsky.social on
@cbcradiocanada.bsky.social
cbc.ca/listen/live-...
@cbcradiocanada.bsky.social
cbc.ca/listen/live-...
“Moscow became a “hub” for evading western sanctions imposed after Assad brutally put down an uprising in 2011.”
Interesting how Assad sent plane loads of cash to Russia as both were reeling from western sanctions.
Interesting how Assad sent plane loads of cash to Russia as both were reeling from western sanctions.
Syrian central bank data said foreign reserves were “almost nothing” by 2018. But due to sanctions, the bank did have to make payments in cash. It bought wheat from Russia and paid for money printing services and “defence” expenses
Assad dispatched $250mn of cash to Moscow on.ft.com/3ZBmpYs
Assad dispatched $250mn of cash to Moscow on.ft.com/3ZBmpYs
Assad dispatched $250mn of Syria’s cash to Moscow
Central bank sent planeloads of dollars in 2018 and 2019 when dictator was indebted to the Kremlin
on.ft.com
December 16, 2024 at 6:59 AM
“Moscow became a “hub” for evading western sanctions imposed after Assad brutally put down an uprising in 2011.”
Interesting how Assad sent plane loads of cash to Russia as both were reeling from western sanctions.
Interesting how Assad sent plane loads of cash to Russia as both were reeling from western sanctions.