May 29, 2025
How to Kick-start Syria’s Reconstruction
US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Syria’s transitional leader, Ahmed al-Shara, in Riyadh last week was accompanied by a landmark announcement: the United States will lift sanctions on Syria, paving the way for investment and reconstruction to help the country recover from 13 years of devastating civil war. This is a welcome development that will ease Syria’s re-entry into the global economy and bring much-needed relief for the millions of civilians reliant on humanitarian aid. Less than a week later, the EU also announced it would lift economic sanctions on Syria.
However, these moves by Washington and Europe are just a first step, and Syria’s future depends on the proactive intervention of regional and global powers with interests in a stable Damascus. Actors like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey should take advantage of the current moment to rekindle Syrian reconstruction and aid efforts. Doing so will set post-Assad Syria on the path most likely to degrade Iran’s influence in the region further, produce fewer spillover conflicts for neighboring countries, and relieve the decades-long suffering of the Syrian people.
Given that there are so many stakeholders interested in Syria’s future, it’s unlikely that all countries will agree on the best way to support its transition, but they don’t need to.
Following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024, many countries are now seeking influence with the new government in Damascus. While much of the international community remains hesitant to engage with al-Shara, given his historic ties to designated terrorist organizations, the worst way to mitigate risk in volatile post-Assad Syria is by doing nothing.
The international community should be actively engaged in supporting the country’s transition. While the lifting of U.S. and EU sanctions is a helpful start, it must be accompanied by broader diplomatic outreach, investment, and humanitarian intervention. Without this vital support and proactive engagement, Syria—and the broader region—are likely to suffer once again the effects of civil war, mass displacement, weapons trafficking, and drug smuggling.
Read the full article on The National Interest.
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