On Tuesday, May 13, the United States announced it would lift longstanding sanctions on Syria and begin warming ties with the new government. When rebel forces toppled President Bashar al-Assad back in December 2024, hopes were high for Syria’s chance to reestablish democracy after a half-century of brutal dictatorship. But anxieties were high, too, that the country might collapse into factional violence. Now, reintegrating into the global economy could lay the foundations for Syria’s stability and prosperity.
In the Journal of Democracy’s latest issue, leading scholars unpack Assad’s unexpected fall, and the reasons for hope that Syria will flourish.
“Forever Has Fallen”: The End of Syria’s Assad
Syrians rejoiced when Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell. After decades of dictatorship and civil war, Syrians must now rebuild their country while seeking justice for the victims of authoritarian rule.
Lisa WedeenWhy Syria’s Civil Society Is the Key
After the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria stands at a crossroads. Nothing is assured, but the country’s civil society is its best hope for charting a democratic future.
Rana B. Khoury and Wendy PearlmanRebuilding the State in Post-Assad Syria
Despite a brutal thirteen-year civil war, Syrians are not building from scratch. In fact, Syria has a long and rich history of state-building to guide them.
Daniel Neep
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Image credit: Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images