The ‘new Syria’ looks to be heading towards a decisive juncture. After the fall of the Assad regime in 2024, the new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa is facing a host of pressing challenges—from strengthening the economy and rebuilding state institutions to securing its borders and preserving its sovereignty. On their own, these are extremely daunting tasks, but Damascus is tackling them against a very volatile regional backdrop after the US waged yet another war on Iran on 28 February.
Along its borders with Lebanon and Iraq, Syria is confronting smuggling networks, arms trafficking and militias linked to Iran. At home, it is trying to find and dismantle sleeper cells while rebuilding an army depleted by years of war. At first, observers were sceptical of a Syrian confrontation with Hezbollah and Iraqi militias, but over time, it has become a greater possibility. Meanwhile, Israeli pressure on Syria is also mounting. Most recently, it bombed the Abu al-Duhur airport in the north, near the Turkish border.
Balancing the competing interests of regional and global stakeholders—including Türkiye, Russia, the US, Israel and Iran—is no easy task, and the challenge ahead is daunting. This is why Al Majalla chose Ahmed al-Sharaa: the next battle as this week’s cover story. The question now is which battle awaits him first, and whether he can keep Syria from becoming an arena for regional conflict. Our writers share their analyses from Syrian, Iraqi and Lebanese angles.
Read more:
1. How the 'new Syria' is confronting Iran by Subhi Franjieh
2. Tensions mount ahead of Iraq disarmament deadline by Ayad Al-Anbar
3. What next for Russia-Syria relations? The view from the Kremlin by Anton Mardasov
