
New Banknotes for a New Syria: Rebuilding Trust and Restoring Faith in the Pound
As the pound’s value has plummeted over the past decade, issuing higher-denomination notes will restore trust and strengthen Central Bank control—if rolled out carefully and credibly.

Rethinking Subsidies in the Post-Assad Era
The Interim Government has accelerated the dismantling of the subsidy edifice. But amid economic constraints and rising prices of basic goods, concerns persist over the authorities’ socioeconomic vision.

External Contribution: Startup Syria
Syria’s Startup Ecosystem: From Survival to Rebuilding
A nascent startup scene is gaining momentum, fueled by youth and diaspora energy. But a resilient ecosystem needs regulatory reforms, investment, and collaboration.

Interview: Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Chargé d’affaires at the French Embassy in Syria
France affirms its support for Syria’s transition, outlining renewed diplomatic ties, reconstruction efforts, and a commitment to inclusive recovery.

Powering the Recovery: the Electricity Sector at a Crossroads
Syria’s power grid remains on life support, but foreign investments offer hope. A close look at fuel supply, output, and costs helps clarify the significance of recent announcements.

Cutting Zeros, Restoring Trust: The Redenomination Debate
Amid a liquidity crunch and monetary uncertainty, redenomination emerges as a potential technical fix and a symbolic reset, but is the timing right?

Why the EU Should Grant Syria Tariff-Free Access
Granting Syria temporary tariff-free access helps shift its recovery from humanitarian aid to partnership. What can we learn from Ukraine’s case?

Taxes in Syria, Episode Three: The Unseen Burden of Indirect Taxation
Syria’s reliance on indirect taxes and fees burdens lower-income households disproportionately. A modern, fairer tax regime—featuring VAT and excise reform—is long overdue.

External Contribution: Gönül Tol, Director of the Middle East Institute’s Türkiye Program
From reconstruction contracts to refugee returns, Türkiye is racing to shape Syria’s future—and Erdoğan’s own political survival may depend on it. Gönül Tol examines Türkiye’s ambitions, rivals, and red lines in the wake of Assad’s collapse.

Interview: Andrea Quaden, Executive Director, Aid Fund for Syria (AFS)
The Aid Fund for Syria expanded from the northwest to formerly regime-held areas after Assad’s fall, aiming to localize aid in support of early recovery. Emphasizing its apolitical approach, it faces funding cuts and sanctions hurdles.

Ringing the Alarm Bells: Syria May Be Facing Its Worst Drought in Decades
Rainfall in the first quarter of 2025 was the lowest since 1997, signaling a potential catastrophic drought. The implications for food security, livelihoods, and cholera outbreaks are dire, especially amid declining foreign aid.

Signs of Shifting Compositions in Company Registrations
Since the fall of Assad, Syria has registered 97 new companies, primarily small LLCs in non-productive sectors like trade. Foreign participation is increasing, with notable changes in nationality composition