The early days of Donald Trump’s new term as US president have already signaled a seismic shift in foreign policy, with sweeping implications for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Among the most consequential moves was Trump’s decision to suspend all US foreign aid for 90 days, pending a review of its alignment with his policy priorities. The freeze excludes emergency food assistance and military funding to Israel and Egypt but significantly affects health, education, and development projects across the region.
Syria Faces Immediate & Long-Term Challenges
For Syria, already grappling with years of war and economic instability, the aid freeze has created an immediate crisis. Key projects supported by US funding, ranging from food and medical aid to infrastructure development, have ground to a halt. Northeastern Syria, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has been particularly hard-hit, as organizations like Mercy Corps and Save the Children have suspended their activities.
The Syrian Caretaker Government (SCG), led by Ahmad al-Sharaa since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, expressed cautious optimism for improved US-Syria relations. Al-Sharaa extended a congratulatory message to Trump, hoping for a partnership to rebuild the war-torn country. However, the freeze undermines those prospects.
“Washington’s focus remains on countering ISIS and ensuring the stability of US allies in the region,” said political analyst Ahmad al-Qurabi. The SDF, a US-backed and PKK-aligned force, faces uncertainty as it awaits clarity on whether Trump will maintain a US military presence in northeastern Syria. The outcome will influence the balance of power in the region and the integration of the SDF into Syria’s new military structure.
Ripple Effects Across the Region
In Lebanon, the US aid freeze complicates efforts to stabilize a fragile ceasefire brokered last year between Hezbollah and Israel. The Lebanese Armed Forces, a beneficiary of US military financing, are key to enforcing the truce and curbing Iranian influence. With US funding in limbo, Lebanese officials are scrambling to fill the gap to prevent renewed hostilities.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian territories face heightened insecurity. Trump’s revocation of sanctions on Israeli settler groups accused of violence against Palestinians and his support for the Israeli government’s “Iron Wall” operation in the West Bank have exacerbated tensions. Humanitarian aid projects in Gaza and the West Bank have also been suspended, cutting off essential services for thousands of Palestinians.
“This decision is devastating for health and education programs,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International. “It will disproportionately harm the most vulnerable populations, further destabilizing the region.”
Aid Freeze’s Strategic Implications
The 90-day aid suspension demonstrates Trump’s shift toward a transactional foreign policy. While maintaining military support for key allies like Israel and Egypt, the US risks alienating other partners. Critics argue the freeze could weaken US influence, as affected nations turn to rivals like China and Russia for support.
Saudi Arabia, a crucial US ally, has indicated that normalization with Israel under the Abraham Accords will require concessions on Palestinian statehood – an outcome that appears increasingly unlikely under Trump’s administration.
In the long term, the freeze could undermine US credibility as the world’s largest donor of international aid. “This is manufactured chaos,” said a former senior USAID official. “Other powers are eager to step in, and the longer this continues, the harder it will be to restore trust.”
Uncertainty Ahead
As the Trump administration reviews its aid policies, the MENA region faces a period of significant uncertainty. The humanitarian toll is already mounting in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, while geopolitical tensions are heightened across the region. With no clear timeline for the resumption of aid, the stakes are high for millions who depend on US support and for America’s role as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. Whether Trump’s approach will yield greater alignment with US interests or deepen instability in an already volatile region remains to be seen.
