Ten months have passed since Syria’s dramatic regime change. Although this period may seem short, it has already been enough to produce tangible shifts across politics, security, the economy, and everyday life. The country is stepping into a new era, one still being shaped by challenges, uncertainty, and a renewed sense of hope.
A political transition in motion
Since the fall of the former regime, Syria has entered a transitional phase under the stewardship of an interim council made up of both civilian and military figures. The old constitution has been suspended, while steps toward drafting a new one – intended to represent all Syrians, are underway. Political parties are now allowed to form, and the media enjoys a wider margin of freedom, opening public debate on subjects once considered taboo.
Security: a fragile but noticeable improvement
Since 2024, Syria has experienced a tangible improvement in national and local security, which has translated into greater stability in the daily lives of citizens. Violence and armed clashes have stopped, thanks to strengthened local security forces, programmes to reintegrate former combatants, and new mechanisms for community conflict resolution. Joint initiatives between local authorities and civil society have built social trust and improved cooperation on security, allowing trade and economic activity to expand. Vital routes and crossings long closed have reopened, easing movement of people and goods between cities and regions. While full stability has yet to be achieved and security remains linked to the evolving political landscape, this shift marks an important step toward social and economic recovery and a more favourable environment for investment.
An economy on the rebound
In the past ten months, Syria has seen striking economic developments. Public sector wages have risen by as much as 600%, while average consumer prices have dropped by around 23%. More than 5,768 new companies have entered the Syrian market, signalling a surge in entrepreneurial activity and renewed investor confidence.
On the international stage, Syria and Saudi Arabia signed 47 investment agreements worth between $6 and $6.4 billion during an investment forum in July 2025. In August 2025, Syria secured a further $14 billion in investment deals with regional and international companies, spanning airport expansion, transport networks, and real estate. Notably, the French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM signed a 30-year concession for the Port of Latakia, pledging roughly €230 million in investment. In late September 2025, Syria also concluded $1.5 billion in tourism investment contracts. These deals collectively underscore the scale of the country’s post-transition economic opening.
Media and public awareness
Independent media outlets have multiplied, creating new platforms for diverse viewpoints and for airing the daily concerns of citizens. While some censorship persists, debates once deemed “red lines” now unfold openly. This newfound openness has raised public awareness, fostered a culture of policy critique, and increased demands for transparency marking a striking departure from previous years.
Syria through the world’s eyes
On the international stage, Syria’s image has undergone a dramatic transformation in the ten months since regime change. President Ahmed al-Sharaa became the first Syrian head of state in nearly six decades to address the United Nations General Assembly, a symbolic milestone signalling Syria’s return to global diplomacy.
Furthermore, longstanding international sanctions on Syria were lifted, unlocking access to financial systems, trade routes, and development funds that had been frozen for years.
Diplomats from across the globe have streamed into Damascus to re-establish embassies and reopen channels of dialogue. After years of isolation, Syria is no longer officially designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. The country has resumed its participation in major international forums on climate change, trade, and humanitarian policy, underscoring its ambition to reclaim a constructive role in the global arena.
Foreign ministries from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas have sent high-level delegations to discuss reconstruction, security, and economic reform, while international organizations have launched joint programs to support judicial reform, anti-corruption measures, and refugee returns.
The road ahead
Despite progress, the coming phase is fraught with challenges. Among the priorities:
- Organising free and transparent elections allowing Syrians at home and abroad to choose their representatives.
- Comprehensive judicial reform to restore public trust and ensure accountability.
- A sustained fight against corruption, one of the key drivers of state collapse in the past.
- Reconstruction that goes beyond rebuilding infrastructure to restoring services, schools, hospitals, and above all, public trust.
- A genuine process of national reconciliation and dialogue across all segments of society without exclusion or revenge.
- Support and recognition for victims, including former detainees, displaced persons, and families who lost loved ones.
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