Division Within Trump Administration Over Russian Military Presence in Syria
The rift within the Trump administration reflects conflicting U.S. priorities in the Middle East, where pressure to weaken Russian influence clashes with the need for a political settlement that secur
April 7, 2025, 7:48 pm

Division Within Trump Administration Over Russian Military Presence in Syria

الجيش الروسي في سوريا

Weeks after reports circulated about U.S. conditions for lifting sanctions on Syria, new details have emerged about the debate within former President Donald Trump’s administration regarding Russia’s military presence in the country. A recent U.S. report revealed sharp divisions over how to handle Russia’s foothold in Syrian air and naval bases, particularly in Tartus and Hmeimim.

According to The Hill, some Trump administration officials presented a list of demands last month to representatives of Syria’s interim government, outlining potential conditions for sanctions relief—yet the removal of Russian military bases was not among them. However, voices within the State Department and the White House pushed to include this demand, highlighting stark disagreements among policymakers.

A knowledgeable source confirmed intense internal debates over the future of Russia’s influence in Syria. While some officials advocated for greater pressure to force Damascus to end the Russian military presence, others warned that such a demand could complicate negotiations and derail other critical agreements.

In Congress, some Republican lawmakers expressed support for expelling Russia from Syria. Representative Joe Wilson stated, “I hope every possible effort is made to remove the Russian naval base in Tartus, as well as the airbase in Syria.” Conversely, Senator Jim Risch, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took a more cautious stance, arguing that pulling Damascus away from the Russian-Chinese-Iranian axis might be more strategically viable than demanding an immediate Russian withdrawal.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin held direct talks with the Syrian government, proposing enhanced “practical cooperation” between the two countries—capitalizing on Damascus’s urgent need for economic support amid its severe financial crisis.

Notably, the first high-level contact between Washington and Damascus since Trump took office occurred on March 18, when Natasha Franceschi, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Levant Affairs, met with Syrian Foreign Minister Aseed Shibani on the sidelines of the Brussels donor conference. During the meeting, the U.S. presented its conditions for lifting sanctions but made no mention of demands related to Russian bases.

As these developments unfold, speculation grows about a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Syria—particularly given Damascus’s escalating economic challenges and Washington’s efforts to maintain geopolitical balances in the region.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.