While sham elections have been seen before, a genuinely representative elected legislature has not. The opportunity is huge, and early signs are good, but there are still far too many questions.
The autonomous Kurdish-led group in Syria's north-east has been protected by the US for a decade, but the move now is towards integration with Damascus. Unfortunately, the SDF has not got the memo.
This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to agree a détente between two hostile neighbours, but getting there is tricky. Several issues must (but can) be overcome.
'Look to the woman,' as the French say, for it is the woman that runs the household. Likewise, it is the state's administration that runs the ministries and achieves the objectives set by ministers.
American Rabbi Abraham Cooper has just met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, weeks after meeting Syria's foreign minister in New York. Al Majalla went to ask his thoughts.
Unresolved grievances, weakened security structures, and the unchecked proliferation of weapons threaten Syria's ability to chart a new course towards peace and prosperity
Smugglers and militias have been active along the country's boundaries in recent days, which could attract unwanted conflict. With resources stretched, Damascus is keen to contain things.
Disruption in the Hormuz can have major implications for global trade, but it also creates opportunities for smaller nations like Iran to become global political players
The Iraq war was viewed as disastrous in retrospect, while the Iran war was unpopular from the get-go. Al Majalla highlights the similarities and differences between the two.
Pipelines have a chequered history in the Middle East, but the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led US Tom Barrack to conclude that a new route through Syria could solve some problems.