EU aims to enhance funding for education and vocational programs via additional EU-supported initiatives.
In the heart of the Middle East, Syria stands at a crossroads, navigating a fragile and uncertain phase following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad after 13 years of war and 54 years of dictatorship. The new Syrian caretaker government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, is striving for stabilization, particularly in volatile regions like Suwayda, where intense sectarian violence between Druze and Bedouin groups has escalated.
The fall of Assad has marked a significant shift, undermining Iran's long-standing strategic foothold in Syria. While Iran's direct influence has waned, its involvement continues indirectly through militias and political proxies, albeit in a diminished capacity. The ceasefire brokered in July 2025, involving Syrian security forces and local leaders, reflects international pressure to stabilize the region and reduce Iran-backed militias’ overt influence.
One of the most promising developments is the reintegration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian state institutions under the new caretaker government. This represents a significant shift from previous autonomy movements and signals a pragmatic approach by Kurdish groups to adapt to the new political reality post-Assad. However, stability remains uncertain as the transitional government consolidates power.
The ceasefire, while fragile, is largely holding, though the political transition remains precarious and requires significant international support and internal reforms to avert renewed conflict. The prevention of a renewed civil war among various groups is crucial, and the international community should offer active support for Syria's peace process.
Moreover, the era of Assad's torture prisons has ended, and the leader of the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus has spoken of reconciliation. So far, there have been no large-scale arrests or persecution waves, and the HTS leader has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with the Prime Minister.
The strategic victory that Turkey achieved with the fall of Assad could be endangered by a new conflict with the Kurds and the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the USA. To mitigate this risk, the Syrian National Army, backed by Turkey, must avoid settling old scores.
In the face of these complexities, the German government should collaborate with Gulf states to take rapid first steps towards peace. The German government should bring Syria's peace process to the forefront at the European Council on December 19 and 20, emphasizing the importance of a Syria where all people can live without fear. Moscow and Tehran should not have a place in the new Syria, and the vacuum should not be allowed to be filled by either.
As Syria moves forward, the road to peace and stability will be fraught with challenges, but with international cooperation, internal reforms, and a commitment to the principles of peace and participation, there is hope for a brighter future for the Syrian people.
- The recent shift in Syria, marked by the fall of Assad, has also sparked migration of Syrians due to ongoing war-and-conflicts and uncertainty, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries and beyond.
- As the new Syrian caretaker government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, works towards stabilization, addressing crime-and-justice issues, like the reduction of sectarian violence and the elimination of torture prisons, is crucial for the general-news headlines of a more peaceful Syria.
- In the international politics surrounding Syria, Germany's active collaboration with Gulf states could play a significant role in the peace process, with the aim of creating a Syria that is free from Iran's indirect influence, as well as free from the control of Moscow and Tehran.
