by Redazione
Following the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria stands at a historic crossroads. Amid hope and heartbreak, Syrians now face the urgent task of building a just, inclusive, and democratic state worthy of their sacrifices and resilience.
By Dr. Nidal Shoukeir
Professor of Strategic Communications and Governmental Relation
For more than half a century, Syrians lived under the shadow of an unspeakable nightmare called “Assad’s Syria”—a nightmare of exclusion, coercion, and systematic injustice that rendered even dreaming of a new Syrian state almost impossible. The Syrian state was transformed into something akin to a private estate, where all foundations of political, social, and institutional life collapsed under an absolute authoritarian rule passed down from Hafez al-Assad to his son Bashar, who carried the torch of repression with even more brutality and control.
The Fall of Assad and the Awakening of the Syrian Dream
For decades, Syrians were deprived of their most basic rights—chief among them, the right to dream of a homeland that could embrace them all. A homeland built on pluralism, citizenship, and justice. Thus, the dream of a “new Syrian state” remained suspended, at least since the departure of French forces on April 17, 1946, waiting for a historic awakening that could redraw the contours of Syria’s future.
On the morning of December 8th, Syrians finally breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Assad regime collapsed—buried forever in the dustbin of history. That moment marked a pivotal turning point, long awaited by Syrians. And with it, the long-forgotten dream began to resurface—the dream of a new Syrian state. A dream that had remained alive in the national consciousness despite decades of repression, distortion, and erasure.
As the dust of the former regime settled, glimpses of the long-anticipated state began to stir the imagination of Syrians and rekindle aspirations long buried by fear but never extinguished. It was a moment of political and human rebirth—a real opportunity to build a state that truly reflects its people in their diversity, cultures, faiths, and ambitions. A state built on a common aspiration: to create a free, stable, and just nation that restores dignity and renews the meaning of belonging.
A New Leadership with a Heavy Burden
With the rapid rise of Ahmad Al-Sharaa, it seemed that a new chapter was being written in Syria’s modern history. Despite the questions surrounding his past and the affiliations of some close to him, his forward-looking rhetoric, international commitments, and early signs of political and social openness offered Syrians genuine hope in a different kind of national leadership—one with the courage to reshape the relationship between state and society on new foundations.
Unfortunately, Syria has witnessed painful events in recent months, most notably the tragedy in Suwayda, which disrupted the momentum of the long-awaited state and left deep wounds that hindered the natural course toward building an inclusive nation that embraces all Syrians, without exception or marginalization.
Real Challenges and National Responsibility
In light of these realities, Syrians today must turn the page on bitter divisions and conflicts and embrace responsibility, forgiveness, and reconciliation. A new chapter must begin—one titled unity, participation, and mutual respect. Syria’s future can only be built by a state in which all share the responsibility of reconstruction, and where every individual feels like a full partner—not a marginalized follower or a second- or third-class citizen.
What Syrians endured over the past years—oppression, brutality, and unparalleled deprivation—must now be the fuel driving them to fulfill the dream of a new Syrian state. The features of this state—so long anticipated—represent the only path to Syria’s revival, to restoring dignity to its people, and to securing its rightful place in the modern world. It is the path to a brighter future for all Syrians.
Out of love and respect for Syria and its generous people, I say: Syrians of all backgrounds must now put their homeland first and elevate their loyalty to the new Syria above all else. They must reject division, uphold unity, combat hateful and extremist rhetoric, and—above all—cling to dialogue… dialogue… and more dialogue. For dialogue remains the best and only way to achieve the Syria they deserve.
A Realistic Roadmap Toward the Future
The government of Syria, under the leadership of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, must understand the gravity of its historical responsibility. This responsibility is not merely to manage a transitional phase, but to craft a comprehensive foundational project that opens new national horizons for all Syrians. It must, immediately and urgently, build trust, enshrine transparency, launch deep institutional reform, and ensure real participation for all segments of society—without exclusion or discrimination.To move past the tragedies of the past and forge a united, prosperous future, President Al-Sharaa’s government must swiftly address three key challenges:
-Demonstrate seriousness in holding those responsible for recent violations accountable, and bring them to justice.
– Protect the dignity of all Syrians, especially members of minority communities, across the national territory.
– Reassure minorities through genuine political inclusion. Why not, for instance, appoint minority figures to lead sovereign ministries such as Defense, Interior, or Justice?
With sincere goodwill toward President Al-Sharaa, I say: the expectations of Syrians for this new state are very high—and rightly so. He, more than anyone, understands the magnitude of their suffering. He is one of them. For that reason, patience, openness, and magnanimity must guide his engagement with all components of Syrian society. He must insist on inclusive solutions rooted in dialogue and consensus, while completely abandoning the methods of the former regime—methods he knows well and once rose up against.
Certainly, the challenges are enormous, and the moment is delicate. But to our Syrian brothers and sisters, we say with honesty: a real opportunity now exists to realize the dream of a new Syrian state. This is especially true given the sincere, generous, and substantial support the Syrian people are receiving from Arab and Gulf nations—chiefly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
To our dear people in Syria: your dream has come back to life. Hold on to it. Do not let slip away an opportunity that may never come again. Build together the Syria you deserve—a Syria of diversity, kindness, and proud history… a Syria for all, and for every Syrian.
At this historic crossroads, we hope that everyone in Syria rises to meet the magnitude of this dream and this opportunity. Because a chance missed today… may not come back tomorrow.
(Associated Medias) – Tutti i diritti sono riservati
L’articolo Nidal Shoukeir, “The Dream” of a New Syrian State…” proviene da Associated Medias.
