Challenges and the Future awaiting Syria

Since the fall of the former Syrian regime, the country has been facing immense challenges. The previous regime destroyed several cities, and the scale of this destruction is staggering. For example, the destruction in Deir ez-Zor is estimated at 80%. Significant damage was also inflicted upon other key governorates like Raqqa, Aleppo, and Homs. This is a major challenge that the current government must address.

However, to speak impartially and set aside the destruction caused by the former regime, the new government has accomplished several things that will help Syria in the future.

Lifting Sanctions and Attracting Investments

One of the most significant achievements of the new government was the successful lifting of harsh sanctions the had been imposed on Syria since 1979. These sanctions, which escalated after 2011, were enforced by the United States and the European Union against the former regime for committing crimes against humanity and using internationally banned weapons against an unarmed population. This culminated the 2019 Caesar Act, which crippled the former regime's economy. After the fall of the regime, the new government successfully managed to get all these sanctions -from 1979 to the Caesar Act- removed.

This was a monumental achievement. The government also opened the door for investments. Recently, Saudi Arabia invested $14 billion in Syria, followed by another $14 billion from Qatar. These investments have been instrumental in the early stages of the Syrian economy's recovery.

Ongoing Challenges

To be fair, the current government still faces several other challenges. The Kurdish issue, for instance, remains a point of contention. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) still control 30% of Syrian territory, a region considered the country's richest area.

Furthermore, the current government is also confronting the renewed from ISIS activity. We have recently witnessed an unprecedented rise in ISIS activity, which is destabilizing the current situation. However, the government is committed to addressing this issue and has already thwarted several planned terrorist operations. This remains a significant challenge for the current administration.

Overall, it can be said that the future of Syria is improving at a noticeable pace, despite the considerable challenges that the current government faces.