Most Syrian Roads Lead to Washington
Okaz, Saudi Arabia, February 26
Syria is enduring a severe humanitarian and economic crisis that has affected every facet of life, with the country experiencing a collapse in infrastructure and a sharp decrease in the availability of essential resources. Key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and industry are facing near-total paralysis, complicating recovery efforts amid persistent political and security challenges.
Despite attempts to foster stability, Syria continues to grapple with a security vacuum and the government’s failure to assert control over the entire nation. From the northernmost regions to the south, and from major urban centers to remote villages, crises persistently arise, confronting the new administration with daunting challenges for which it is ill-prepared.
In recent years, specifically since 2019, Syria has seen a kind of military and security equilibrium facilitated by regional and international forces; however, this balance has been insufficient to extricate the country from its profound difficulties, instead rendering it akin to fragmented territories under various influences.
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The fall of Bashar Assad’s regime marked a significant turning point not only within Syria but across the region, with the ongoing effects of this change continuing to provoke political and security consequences. The appointment of Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa as president during the transitional phase was a step toward long-awaited political stability, yet the country still faces significant hurdles that demand more decisive actions to address lingering crises.
Among these initiatives, the recent “national dialogue sessions” held in Syrian cities are deemed essential as a precursor to a comprehensive national dialogue conference aimed at forming a government that represents all Syrian demographics and drafting a constitutional declaration to legitimize the transition, complete with a clear timetable for implementing transitional justice and achieving national reconciliation.
Amid these challenges, the European Union’s partial lifting of sanctions on energy, transport, and banking sectors has provided Syrians with a glimmer of hope for economic improvement. Nevertheless, the impact of these measures is constrained by ongoing US sanctions, particularly those targeting the Central Bank of Syria, which sever the Syrian economy from the global banking system, notably SWIFT, thereby hindering the country’s investment appeal and prospects for genuine economic revival.
Currently, Washington is a pivotal force in shaping Syria’s future, holding sway over several key aspects including the easing of sanctions, political support for the Syrian government, and resolving issues in the northern part of the country. In this vein, the impending visit of US President Trump to the region holds special significance, with Syrians hopeful that al-Sharaa’s administration will secure crucial agreements with the US.
Concurrently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in opening communication channels between the new Syrian government and international stakeholders, thereby improving the likelihood of achieving enduring solutions to the Syrian conflict. There remains hope that these endeavors will ultimately succeed, ushering in a new era of prosperity and stability that will alleviate years of hardship and restore the nation’s well-being.
Rami Al-Khalifa Al-Ali (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
