In brief
After 14 years of brutal conflict, Syria's economy lies in tatters, with 90% of the population living in poverty. Experts agree that lifting Western sanctions is crucial for revitalizing the shattered economy and infrastructure.
Years of violence have left Syria's resources and infrastructure devastated. The collapse of the Assad regime opened the door for significant challenges in rebuilding the Syrian economy. Most of the population is now in poverty and the central bank is struggling with depleted foreign reserves. Historically, oil and agriculture were the mainstays of Syria's economy, but now the most lucrative export is captagon, an illegal drug. Ahmed al-Shara, leading the new rebel coalition, faces a challenging quest to unite factions and restore governance. Economists like Samir Aita emphasize the need to lift U.S. sanctions, arguing that without international trade and investment, rebuilding efforts will likely stall, leaving the country in a state of despair.
