Obama renews Syria sanctions

President Barack Obama has renewed Syria sanctions for a year, noting among other factors its continued backing of terrorist groups.

Obama wrote to Congress this week saying he was renewing congressionally mandated sanctions first implemented by President George W. Bush in 2004. The continued sanctions affect trade with Syria and the assets of individuals and entities associated with the government of President Bashar Assad.

Obama recently lifted another sanction Bush imposed and nominated an ambassador to Syria, part of his outreach to pariah states to induce them to end their rogue status.

However, the White House insists that it maintains a carrot-and-stick policy, and Obama’s letter to Congress made it clear that Syria is far from out of the woods.

Syria was accused recently of arming Hezbollah with Scud missiles. — jta