Leadership

Academic Summit held at Damascus University, September 15th. (SANA)

Higher education reform a national imperative for rebuilding Syria

15 September 2025. Over 300 academics, students, policymakers and researchers came together at “SAFIR 2025”—Syrian Academic Summit for Innovation, Education, Research and Reform—in the goal of creating a roadmap for higher educational reform that will serve the nation’s development. Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Marwan al-Halabi, outlined a comprehensive set of goals including curriculum modernization, university autonomy, and research excellence.Read more at: SANA

UN General Assembly briefing in January this year. (UN photo)

Syria rejoins community of nations with president’s address to the UN

12 September 2025. President al-Sharaa will address the world body in a major step toward Syria’s diplomatic reemergence. He will be joined by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Syria’s new UN representative, Ibrahim al-Olabi. This event occurs nine months after the insurgency led by him caused the fall of Assad and opened the path toward democracy. He will meet with other world leaders while in New York.Read more at: LEVANT24

A Catalyst for Middle East Unity and Stability

The Middle East stands at a potential turning point with the emergence of a new government in Syria. After nearly fourteen years of devastating civil war, foreign incursions, and humanitarian crises, the rise of new Syrian leadership offers an extremely rare opportunity for regional recalibration.

President meets with Arab media delegation in Damascus, August 24th. (Syrian Arab Republic Presidency)

President al-Sharaa shares his views of Israel, Hezbollah, Lebanon, and SDF

25 August 2025. At a meeting with an Arab media delegation, President al-Sharaa confirmed Syria’s ongoing talks with Israel, saying he would not hesitate to make: “any agreement or decision that serves the interests of Syria and the region,” but that any deal must honour the 1974 armistice line. He said the new Syria would not be used to settle scores with Hezbollah, that “Lebanon must benefit from Syria’s renaissance,” and that it’s important to free the collective memory from burdens of the past.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Former US Ambassador Barbara Leaf offers insights about Syria’s transition. (Alarabiya English video still, 21 August)

Assessing Syria’s emergence after decades of Assad control

21 August 2025. In a video interview, Barbara Leaf, a high-level US diplomat who met with Ahmad al-Sharaa following the fall of Assad, reflects on the historic Syrian transition, calling it a “once in a generation” opportunity for change. Acknowledging the challenges of reconstruction and reconciliation, given the distrust and sectarian conflict fuelled by the Assad regime, she praises the new government’s avoidance of widespread violence.Read more at: ALARABIYA

Assad loyalists attacked coastal government forces in March, sparking four days of sectarian violence. (L24)

UN absolves Syrian government in March coastal massacres

15 August 2025. The 66-page report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which investigated the violence of March, praised Syria’s dedication to justice, accountability, and transparency, and called the report a milestone in cooperation between Syria and the UN. The report’s conclusions mirrored many findings of Syria’s Independent National Inquiry, and affirms Syria’s path to accountability. Having free access to the affected regions, the UN determined that individuals within interim security forces were culpable for violence, but there was no evidence that the state directed those crimes.Read more at: LEVANT 24

From out of the Rubble, Life and Hope

The White Helmets lived the meaning of sacrifice—leaving their own families to save others under fire. “It’s hard to be away from your family,” one volunteer said, “but life requires sacrifice.” In a global culture that is shaped by the desire for personal comfort and that exhibits indifference to the suffering of others, their courage stands as a quiet challenge.

Healing From Syria’s Past

Those who liberated Syria from dictatorship face the daunting task of uniting groups that have seen each other as enemies for generations. Ancient resentments and the desire for revenge cannot be erased overnight. The new government is seeking to establish trust in a land and region of the world where there has been little trust in those who ruled, where brutal leaders were frequently replaced by violent coups, and where dynasties held onto power through harsh and often cruel mechanisms of control.

Elections chairman, Mohammed Taha al Ahmad, reports on electoral reforms to make Syria’s People’s Assembly more representative and responsive. (SANA)

Syria aims for transparent and inclusive national elections in September

27 July 2025. Following meetings with leading figures in diverse sectors of Syrian society, the chairman of the Higher Committee of People’s Assembly Elections presented recommendations for sweeping electoral reforms to President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who stressed the goal of overcoming division and sectarianism. The reforms aim to create a People’s Assembly “worthy of Syria’s leadership, land, and sacrifices,” the chairman said, one that will advance reconstruction and development. The elections will be monitored by local communities and international organizations.Read More at: SANA

The Power of Understanding

The word ‘understand’ carries several meanings, but one of the most significant ones is the ability to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward others. Achieving this kind of understanding is a result of our collective evolution—an expression of the wisdom born from the union of heart and mind.

Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi sign deal to integrate SDF into Syrian state – March 10, 2025. (Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic)

Damascus reasserts: “One Syria, One Army, One Government”

10 July 2025. Responding to the delayed implementation of the March agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the Damascus government reaffirmed its “One Syria” stance. It rejected partition of any kind, while welcoming any path that would enhance the unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The statement emphasized the importance of a unifying national identity and engagement of all peoples in the Syrian national project, stating “The Kurdish component has always been and remains an integral part of Syria’s diverse fabric.” Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Information Minister says, without a free and responsible media Syria has no future. (SANA)

National media to counter extremism and hate speech

10 July 2025. Syrian Information Minister, Hamza al-Mustafa, met in Berlin with officials of the German Foreign Ministry and discussed Syria’s commitment to creating a free and pluralistic national media. Stating that establishing journalistic ethics is a priority, he noted that the ministry has already begun to tackle hate speech and disinformation. The German minister conveyed high respect for Syria’s development of a free media while undergoing a difficult transition and pledged her nation’s help.Read more at: SANA

The Appearance of Miracles

In less than six months, a nation that was on the brink of failure has been revived and is undergoing a transformation, an unfathomable occurrence in the normal course of events. Signs point to the presence of a new generation of leaders, whose sole motive is to serve their people and bring peace to a region embroiled in conflict over centuries.

New Face of Syria