Aaron Zelin, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, highlights this as a striking example of ISIL’s ongoing ambitions to destabilize Syria despite its diminished capacity. The

Syria’s direct tax system is no longer fit for purpose; urgent reforms are needed.  Since 2010, direct taxes have fallen from 21% to just 11% of government revenue. And because

Syria’s Company Registrations Are Changing—But Not Transforming the Economy Since 8 December 2024: • 97 new companies have been announced in the Gazette; all Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) • Roughly

Nearly six months into post-Assad governance, ISIL has claimed zero successful attacks in Interim Government-held territory, despite various attempts. In this issue of Syria in Figures, Aaron Zelin, Senior Fellow

In this edition: Ringing the Alarm Bells – Syria may be facing its worst drought in decades. Shifts in Company Registrations – Is foreign participation growing in post-Assad Syria? Taxes

Satellite imagery confirms it: Syria may be facing its worst drought in decades. Rainfall in Q1 2025 totaled just 94.7 mm, down from a long-term average of 165.4 mm, and

The persistence of Syria’s drug trade reflects over a decade of entrenched networks nurtured under the former regime. Dr.Karam Shaar notes that despite unprecedented drug seizures following the regime’s fall, smuggling

In his earlier commentary for Al Jazeera, Dr. Karam Shaar had attributed the Syrian pound’s temporary strengthening to psychological reactions triggered by promises of sanctions relief. He explained that the announcement elevated

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, our Sanctions Lead Analyst Vittorio Maresc explained why banking sanctions are doing the most damage—cutting Syria off from the global financial system. He also warned:

A few reflections on Trump’s “cessation” of sanctions on Syria; what it might mean and what it doesn’t mean. Either way, this is very much worth celebrating! We deserve a

Sanctions didn’t destroy Syria’s economy—but they blocked its recovery. Our Senior Research Analyst, BenjaminFeve, explains how sanctions shaped Syria’s post-war trajectory.

Syria’s direct subsidies on wheat and fuel have long fostered corruption and inefficiency. Dr. Karam Shaar sees removing these subsidies as a vital reform to close systemic loopholes exploited by powerful networks.