Trump announces major Middle East foreign policy moves 鈥� many sidestepping Israel

By Daniel Estrin,

Published May 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM EDT

When President Trump announced his decision to lift sanctions from Syria, Israelis couldn't believe it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked Trump not to lift sanctions, media widely reported.

Daniel Estrin

Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.

See stories by Daniel Estrin

Carrie Kahn

Carrie Kahn is NPR's International Correspondent based in Mexico City, Mexico. She covers Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Kahn's reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning news programs including All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition, and on NPR.org.

See stories by Carrie Kahn

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Trump announces major Middle East foreign policy moves 鈥� many sidestepping Israel