Sunday, September 13, 2026
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Damascus
Sunday, September 13, 2026

Time for building a sustainable future for Syria

An image of Bashar Assad riddled with bullets at the provincial government office building in Hama. Credit: AP

In the wake of a new era that began with the fall of the Assad regime, Syria is in urgent need of support from its dedicated allies—both Syrians abroad and the international community. This includes countries, organizations, and individuals wishing to see Syria thrive.

Their contributions are essential to helping the Syrian people, thousands of whom have already returned or have made plans to return to Syria, rebuild their lives, and achieve meaningful progress across economic, political, and social spheres.

The vast expertise of Syrians, both within the country and in the diaspora, alongside international resources, must be harnessed to begin the restoration and reconstruction of Syria effectively. 

“Major world players like the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries must step up and exert significant pressure on Israel to halt its repeated strikes on Syrian territory”

Although Syrians themselves should take the lead in returning to their homeland, rebuilding what has been destroyed, and charting a new future for their nation, a strong and active regional and international role is urgently needed.

Major world players like the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union countries must step up and exert significant pressure on Israel to halt its repeated strikes on Syrian territory. These attacks not only destroy critical infrastructure but also obstruct vital reconstruction efforts. The continuation of such escalation diminishes hopes for lasting peace, as Syrians cannot embrace peace while under persistent threat. This pressing situation calls for immediate international intervention.

“sanctions should be specifically targeted at Bashar Assad and key regime figures who are directly responsible for war crimes, human rights abuses, and systemic corruption”

Furthermore, the existing American and European sanctions on Syria require a thoughtful reassessment. Rather than continuing the imposition of broad, sweeping measures that impact the entire Syrian population, sanctions should be specifically targeted at Bashar Assad and key regime figures who are directly responsible for war crimes, human rights abuses, and systemic corruption.

By shifting to targeted sanctions, the economic burdens on ordinary Syrian citizens can be alleviated, creating space for improving living conditions and fostering a path toward recovery and stability by allowing those who wish to create businesses in Syria to partner with financial institutions that are currently inaccessible due to economic sanctions.

Yasser Ashkar
Yasser Ashkar
Yasser Ashkar is a Syrian-American translator, educator, and human rights advocate. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of SYRIAWISE. With a background spanning academia, media, and refugee community leadership, he previously served as an instructor at Istanbul University and is currently based in Michigan, USA.

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