Syria’s transition: gains abroad, questions at home

Syria's transition towards a unified and stable state is underway, moving towards a normal country that neither past nor future generations have experienced. For the first time since 1979, Syria is no longer a state sponsor of terrorism and is now a partner in the fight against terrorism. The country is free from sanctions imposed due to a regime that seized power, held its people hostage, and spread violence and fear within its borders and beyond.

Syrians are starting to reconnect with each other, having once feared and censored one another. Under General Mazloum Abdi's leadership, the Syrian Democratic Forces have been dissolved and its members integrated into the Syrian state, following a presidential decree granting Syrian Kurds long-denied rights. President Ahmed al-Sharaa's political settlement with the SDF marks a significant shift in Syria's approach to peace, which was previously equated with betrayal and deemed unnecessary.

In stark contrast to past slogans proclaiming peace as an evil, Syrians now take for granted basic amenities like electronic payments and the ability to import bananas. Traveling from Damascus to Tartus, a driver spoke of the newfound freedom to express opinions without fear of retaliation. Disturbed by the return of some former Assad supporters with beards, the driver hoped that Bashar al-Assad would be tried in Syria rather than handed over.

The journey highlights the progress made in a single year, with the lifting of sanctions, removal from the state sponsor of terrorism list, agreement with the SDF, reintegration into the Arab world, and rebuilding of relationships with neighboring countries. However, challenges remain, including unresolved issues like Sweida's status, transitional justice, the suffocating economic situation, and the impact of the US-Iran war.

As Syria completes the foreign-policy phase of its transition, pressing questions about the desired future Syria and the path forward will emerge.