US legislators threaten penalties in exchange for peace in Syria

The Assad Anti-Normalization Act is a bipartisan bill introduced by US lawmakers to oppose the normalization of relations between Syria and other nations. It threatens governments considering normalization with the Assad regime with severe consequences. The US has a military base in the east and supports the Kurdish forces. Economic sanctions have been introduced to undermine Syria's attempts at reconstruction. The new legislation targets foreign airports receiving Syrian planes, cracks down on first lady Asma Assad's charity, and subjected grants of $50,000 or more to Syria from nations in the region to sanctions review. It also requires the US government to implement a strategy to counter Syria rapprochement for at least five years.