The New Syria: Between the Lessons of the Past and the Entitlements of the Future

By: Muslim Sheikh Hassan - Kobani

Building a modern Syria cannot be achieved merely by changing those in power or replacing individual figures; rather, it requires a radical transformation in the philosophy of governance and state administration, based on rejecting policies of exclusion and oppression and establishing the principles of equal citizenship, justice, and the rule of law.

If the goal is to establish a modern and civilized state where all Syrians, regardless of their background, can live safely and peacefully, the first step is to avoid the practices of the overthrown regime. It is crucial to act swiftly and decisively to protect the legitimate rights of all Syrian communities, especially in light of the country's fragile situation, where further delays in addressing fundamental rights and freedoms are no longer an option.

For many decades, Syrians lived under the rule of the Ba’ath Party and the governments of Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad. The majority of Syrians alive today were born and raised during this period, experiencing a political system that concentrated power, limited freedoms, and pursued policies of repression, exclusion, and marginalization.

Despite Syria’s rich natural resources and promising human potential, Syrians suffered deprivation, arbitrary arrests, torture, poverty, and economic collapse during that period. If the state had been governed according to the principles of good governance and sustainable development, it would have been able to make optimal use of these assets. It would have joined the ranks of developed nations and secured a prominent position at both the regional and international levels.

This bitter experience should not remain merely a memory of the past; rather, it must serve as a political lesson for the transitional government as it formulates its policies for the coming phase. National responsibility transcends narrow calculations and short-sighted interests and is directed toward a comprehensive national project that restores dignity to all Syrians, addresses the legacy of decades of oppression, and builds a new social contract based on genuine cooperation among the various components of Syrian society. I

In this context, the steps taken by the transitional government since taking office, while significant, remain below the expectations and aspirations of the Syrian people. Moreover, addressing the Kurdish people’s national rights through decrees and limited measures continues to raise legitimate questions about whether there is a comprehensive political vision capable of ensuring these rights within a lasting constitutional and legal framework, rather than relying on temporary solutions or narrow administrative arrangements. At the same time, the reform agenda presented so far has yet to provide a clear roadmap for tackling the country’s severe economic collapse, rebuilding state institutions, and pursuing a development path that supports recovery and helps restore trust between the state and society.

Experience has shown that ignoring political, economic, and social issues—or managing them through a logic of domination and unilateral decision-making—inevitably leads to the exacerbation of crises, the weakening of the state, and the exhaustion of society. This is precisely what happened in past decades, when genuine reforms were neglected and problems accumulated until the country reached one of the most complex crises in its modern history.

Therefore, the success of the transitional phase cannot be measured by slogans or promises alone; rather, it must be evaluated based on its ability to effect fundamental changes to the state's structure and governance methods.

This requires the establishment of effective national institutions, the strengthening of judicial independence, the implementation of the rule of law, the respect for human rights, and the guarantee of full equality for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sect, or political affiliation.

Recognition of the legitimate rights of all Syrian communities—particularly their national, cultural, and political rights—should not be viewed as a concession by the state but rather as a constitutional and national right that strengthens the country’s unity and stability. Strong states are not built on exclusion but on partnership, and their legitimacy does not stem from a monopoly on power but from their ability to represent all their citizens and safeguard their dignity and rights.

Syria today faces a historic opportunity that may never come again: either it builds a new state founded on justice, citizenship, and national solidarity, turning the page on the past and opening prospects for a more peaceful and prosperous future, or it returns to the policies that contributed to the country’s current crises, with all the risks this entails for the unity of the state and the future of its people. Therefore, the path toward achieving stability and progress in Syria begins with establishing the rule of law, guaranteeing rights and freedoms, and strengthening the principle of national partnership. These are the true foundations for building a modern, democratic state capable of achieving security, development, and justice for all Syrians.