The president of the United States, Donald Trump, signed this Thursday a $900 billion defense law for fiscal year 2026, which eliminates the extensive economic sanctions that have weighed on Syria for more than a decade.
The measure was promoted by broad bipartisan support in the Senate and will allow a 3.6% salary increase to be granted to US military personnel.
The law seeks not only to improve salaries, but also to modernize the armed forces, including the construction and acquisition of airplanes, submarines and the implementation of a reform in the delivery of military material.
In addition, it allocates $800 million to support Ukraine, as well as additional funds for Israel, Taiwan, Iraq and other allies.
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In international matters, the legislation eliminates the sanctions that weighed on the government of Bashar al-Assad, justifying the measure as supporting Syria’s economic recovery after more than a decade of civil war.
Likewise, it contains an article that withholds 25% of the travel budget of the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, if he does not deliver to Congress the videos and orders of attacks in the Caribbean.
This conditions part of the budget on compliance with transparency regarding the military campaign against Venezuela, justified by Washington as part of the fight against drug trafficking.
The signing of the law reinforces the Trump administration’s national security agenda, combines military modernization, international support and legislative oversight, and solidifies the United States’ defense and foreign policy posture for the next fiscal year.
With information from EFE
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