The attempt to rebuild Syria is a national hope that may take a long time to realise. It’s not an easy place to rebuild, and it’s difficult to make reasonable contact with most people, as its previous leader knew. The unity and continuity of business activity needed for its survival and credibility in the Middle East is hard to come by in these circumstances.
Yet, President Ahmed al-Sharaa is making his efforts known to the world that he intends to try to do it himself. The success of it is now a likelihood that’s built on his respect for such realities in the region. He too has to navigate the complex dealings of peoples that are never really settled. He also has to make contributions in a state of affairs that is fast moving, and doesn’t look back to find out the losers.
His messages in public are conciliatory in tone but they have underlying principles in mind. These are peacemaking initiatives in a Syrian way of thinking. The launch of a new currency looks like a signal of intent but it’s not founded on printing it for friends and foes alike. The outstretched hand of Ahmed al-Sharaa is also a clenched fist if they fight him, which is well known because of his diplomacy.