Syria’s Transitional Government: Challenges, Prospects, and Global Implications

Speakers

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute

Rahaf Aldoughli

Lecturer in Middle East and North African Studies, Lancaster University

Joshua Landis

Sandra Mackey Chair and Professor in Middle East Studies; Co-Director of the Center for Middle East Studies; Director of the Farzaneh Family Center for Iranian and Persian Gulf Studies, Boren College of International Studies, University of Oklahoma

Dima Moussa

Syrian American Lawyer and Member of the Syrian National Coalition

Moderator

Headshot of Khalil E. Jahshan

Khalil E. Jahshan

Executive Director

Arab Center Washington DC

About the Webinar

On January 29, 2025, Ahmed al-Sharaa was named president of Syria for a transitional period and the country’s constitution was suspended. Seven weeks after leading Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in an offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s presidency, al-Sharaa was also authorized to form a temporary legislative council to govern the country until a new constitution is adopted. But after 14 years of civil war, Syria is severely fractured and its economy and infrastructures destroyed, with 90% of Syrians living under the poverty line, over 600,000 killed, and 14 million people displaced, including approximately 6.7 million refugees who now face increasing hostility in host countries. While Syria’s new president laid out ambitious goals to rebuild state institutions and develop the economy, he has said that it may take up to four years to write up a new constitution and hold formal elections, raising concerns about prolonged uncertainty over governance, the rebuilding process, and the future of the Syrian people.

Arab Center Washington DC is convening a panel of experts to discuss the myriad challenges facing Syria in this transitional period, assess the prospects for success in instituting a democratic and inclusive government, explore the impact of regional and global dynamics, and offer policy recommendations for Syria and other actors. How will the new government ensure the protection of the rights of all Syrians? Who will be included in the temporary governing council and the constitution writing process? How will al-Sharaa and other HTS government appointees reconcile their Islamist roots with the rights of Syria’s many minority groups? How can democratic institutions be built to prevent a return to authoritarian rule? How will the new government handle state records, including human rights violations and corruption? What economic reforms are needed to support reconstruction and the needs of the Syrian people? How will the new government address other armed groups and the autonomous Kurdish forces and prevent renewed conflict? What mechanisms will ensure transitional justice for Syrians? How will the new government deal with external interventions and presence including from Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Israel? How will the US and European countries, who maintain sanctions on Syria and designate HTS a terrorist group, deal with the new government?

Featured image credit: Twitter/Syrian Transitional Government

Date

Thursday February 13, 2025

Time

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET