Looking Towards Peace: Rebuilding Economic Stability and Governance in Syria

• In Event: Looking Towards Peace: Rebuilding the Economy and Political Governance in Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza

Abstract

Following more than a decade of civil war and authoritarian rule under the Assads from 1971 to 2024, Syria faces the immense challenge of rebuilding its political and economic foundations. This paper explores how transitional governance, decentralization, and anti-corruption reforms might help guide the country toward long-term stability. Yet, efforts to restore governance face deep complications. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the current interim president, assumed power not through a negotiated transition but through his leadership of an armed Islamist movement, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). His rise has triggered unease among Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities, particularly those who previously aligned with the Assad regime. These groups fear marginalization or retaliation, further complicating the task of building an inclusive political system. The study will examine how meaningful decentralization, local representation, and legal guarantees of minority rights could help defuse tensions and promote legitimacy in a transitional government and long-term governance moving forward.
From an economic perspective, Syria’s path to recovery relies significantly on the expansion and formal support of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which have functioned as the core of economic activity throughout the conflict. In the absence of stable state institutions and large-scale industries, MSMEs have sustained livelihoods, provided essential services, and fostered localized economic resilience across various regions of the country. This study investigates how international aid, reconstruction funding, and policy interventions can be strategically directed to strengthen MSMEs. By addressing both the political challenges of post-conflict governance and the economic potential of small-scale enterprise, this research aims to offer an integrated framework for rebuilding Syria from the ground up.

Author

• Isabella Viereck, Emmanuel College