Since December 2024, the new Syrian government has moved quickly to revive the state and reconnect it to the outside world. The new leaders have marked notable progress, securing the easing of some of the harshest international sanctions and attracting new funding to relieve pressures on the economy. Yet, Syria is far from out of the woods. The road to stability is beset by hurdles: fragile security arrangements, limited political participation, unresolved questions of justice and accountability, and an economy struggling to stay afloat.

While external gains matter, Syria’s future will be shaped above all at home, within its own streets and institutions. To give this fragile moment a real chance, three priorities are essential: restoring stability across the country, building trust through inclusive and accountable governance, and ensuring that the international community underpins recovery with steady, principled support.