Politics & Cooperation

Syria’s Political Transition: Between Hope and Uncertainty

18 March 2025. From 12:00 To 13:00 | Webinar | English | Online

Una dona siriana celebra la caiguda del règim de Bashar al-Assad. Damasc, Síria, 8 de desembre de 2024. Shutterstock (Mohamed Bash)

The toppling of the Assad regime by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) on 8 December marked a turning point in Syria’s political history, ending decades of authoritarian rule. However, this transition brings both hope and uncertainty as the country faces profound political, social, and economic challenges. While the interim government led by HTS has pledged to guide Syria towards stability and democracy, significant doubts remain about the future of governance, the protection of minorities, and Syria’s reintegration into the international community. Among the key challenges ahead are the reconstruction of state institutions, the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms, the drafting of a new constitution, and the organisation of free elections. The role of religious and ethnic minorities is another pressing issue. Beyond political and social reforms, Syria also faces acute economic challenges, urging the lifting of international sanctions.

For the EU, the end of the Assad regime presents an opportunity to support an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition, but a clear policy on Syria’s transition has yet to be defined. What institutional reforms are needed for an inclusive and legitimate transition? Can diplomatic recognition encourage democratic reforms? Are the HTS’s promises of tolerance and inclusiveness genuine attempts to build a pluralistic Syria, or mere concessions to international pressure? How can civil society and grassroots movements contribute to shaping a sustainable post-conflict Syria? These and other questions will be addressed in the panel.

A webinar on Zoom (join the webinar)

This is a webinar within a new edition of the afkar Debates series edition called “Syria and Lebanon: Impact of the Conflict and Paths to Recovery” which will focus on Syria’s political transition following the fall of the Assad regime, exploring the key challenges ahead and the role the EU can play in supporting an inclusive transition, and the challenges Lebanon faces on its long road to reconstruction.

The second debate of this series is:
Lebanon: the Long Road to Reconstruction and Recovery (28 March 2025, noon)

afkar Debates aims to contribute to discussions regarding the most pressing issues in the Mediterranean region.

Other debates of the series: