After fourteen years of the Syrian revolution, which has seen the Syrian people suffer oppression, deprivation, destruction, and displacement, the country finds itself at a crucial crossroads, facing deep and complex challenges that necessitate radical reforms in various areas, including political, social, and economic.

To achieve sustainable transformation in the country, a comprehensive approach is required that acknowledges Syria's diversity and seeks reforms that enhance national unity, equality, and justice. In this context, the structural challenges that hinder the rebuilding of Syria must not be overlooked, stemming from the effects of long decades of tyranny on one hand and the repression and chaos resulting from the crisis on the other. Analyzing these challenges places Syria in a larger context beyond mere physical reconstruction; it extends to correcting concepts of national identity, social justice, and the rule of law.

Syria now faces political, social, economic, and security challenges that, if not overcome, will prevent it from rising towards a more stable and secure future. Here, I will discuss these challenges in some detail.

Starting with political challenges, the most prominent is the lack of trust among the components of Syrian society in the political system. After more than fifty years of authoritarian rule, the Syrian political system has completely lost the trust of wide segments of the population. The policies of the previous regime during its long years in power entrenched security and military dominance over political life and weakened state institutions, including parliament, judiciary, and media. Even after the end of military conflict in many areas, the Syrian people still doubt the regime's ability to meet their aspirations for a democratic state that respects basic rights. A genuine political transition requires radical reforms within this system, including the establishment of independent and transparent institutions and opening the space for political pluralism.

The second political challenge is working towards political participation for all segments of society. Any political process in future Syria must address the issue of political participation for all components of Syrian society. The previous Syrian regime always relied on dividing society into allies and enemies, adopting policies that favored certain groups at the expense of others, such as Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, and Druze. However, the future requires the establishment of a political system that reflects the real diversity of Syrian society and ensures fair representation for all components, from opposition forces to Kurds and other ethnic and sectarian minorities.

Another political challenge is the military and political interventions from international and regional powers, which may complicate the political process in Syria. Russia and Iran, which supported the regime, along with the United States and Turkey, which support opposing groups, all constitute external parties seeking to achieve their interests in Syria. The intervention of these international powers has not been limited to military support; it has also included imposing political visions and non-inclusive solutions that contribute to the continuation of internal divisions, making it exceedingly complex to reach a comprehensive political solution. Future Syria needs to achieve genuine internal consensus, free from external interests.

Regarding social challenges, the Syrian national identity is considered the most significant, and one of the biggest challenges in future Syria is to build a new national identity that encompasses all components of the Syrian people. Over decades, the previous regime worked to entrench narrow sectarian and ethnic identities, enhancing divisions among different groups. The Syrian crisis has significantly deepened these divisions, leading to a situation where Syrians have become more fragmented than ever, divided among Arabs and Kurds, Sunnis, and Alawites, Muslims, and Christians. Building a national identity requires a long effort to rebuild relationships among these components that transcends sectarian and ethnic disagreements. The focus of identity building should be on shared citizenship that celebrates diversity and promotes unity.

The second social challenge is psychological and social trauma, as Syrian communities have undergone collective psychological trauma due to decades of oppression, followed by years of war and displacement. Millions of Syrians live with the effects of violence, displacement, and torture. The psychological impact of these traumas may persist for decades, necessitating comprehensive programs to mitigate their effects, such as psychological therapy, social rehabilitation, and integration between different communities. Transitional justice and national reconciliation are essential tools in addressing these traumas, but it is also crucial to ensure that these measures are supported at the level of civil society and social institutions to alleviate psychological suffering and promote mutual understanding.

The third social challenge is the generational gap, as an entire generation of Syrians has grown up in an environment filled with tyranny and oppression, leading to a loss of hope for the future and a lack of trust in government institutions. In addition, there is another generation that has emerged after the crisis, suffering from deep wounds, particularly in regions that witnessed the bloodiest conflicts. Bridging these gaps between generations is vital for building a stable Syrian society, requiring focused efforts on education, intergenerational communication, and social rehabilitation. Additionally, disparities in life opportunities between Syrians inside and outside Syria need to be addressed, as many young people in the diaspora live far from their homeland.

I believe that building the future of Syria requires a comprehensive and deep approach to all the challenges facing the country. Political and social reforms and important issues were necessary, but they will not be sufficient if they do not lead to real investigative efforts, to do the issues and accountability. Although the issues may be big, Syria has long experience since then if we adopt radical and honest reforms, and the fight against politics is based on comprehensive principles and the benefits of the Syrian people, and it disappears from the benefits.

Levant: Ezz El-Din Malla