Syria stands at the edge of a new chapter. The Assad regime has fallen. A transitional government is in place. Borders have reopened, and more than 1 million refugees have returned home. According to the UN Refugee Agency, this is “a sign of the great hope and high expectations Syrians have following the political transition.”
Since Bashar Assad fled to Moscow last December, Syria has begun to rebuild. An interim constitution is in place. Armed factions are being integrated into state institutions. Dialogue with regional and international partners has resumed. For the first time in years, American diplomats have returned to Damascus.
On Sunday, Syrians made more history, heading to the polls in the first parliamentary elections since the transition began. They filled 210 seats through a mix of district representation and presidential appointments. Some regions remain unrepresented — including the Kurdish-led northeast and the Druze-controlled Sweida. There are fair questions about the inclusion of minorities and women. Still, the vote marks a clear break from the past and a tentative step toward a potentially vibrant political life.
About the author
Alia Natafgi
Alia Natafgi is a businesswoman, real estate investor, and advocate focused on advancing peace and economic recovery in post-conflict Syria. As executive director of the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, she leads initiatives that foster U.S.-Syrian cooperation through advocacy, education, and economic engagement.
