Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, Syria's newly formed caretaker government is now facing a critical 90-day test amid significant economic, political, and security challenges. This interim government, which has evolved from the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) established in 2017, aims to transition from a revolutionary mindset to a more structured state approach [4ccea72f].
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the Military Operations Administration, has outlined a three-phase plan for Syria's future. This includes establishing a stable interim government, holding a national conference, and preparing for elections [4ccea72f]. However, the economic situation remains dire, with the country's GDP plummeting from $62 billion in 2010 to just $8 billion in 2023. Over 90% of the population now lives in poverty, and the World Food Programme reports that 12.9 million people are facing food insecurity [4ccea72f].
In response to these challenges, the caretaker government has initiated economic reforms aimed at liberalizing the market and eliminating burdensome regulations. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to lift Western sanctions and reclassify Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from terrorism lists, which could facilitate international engagement [4ccea72f].
Political dialogue is also underway with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), as the government seeks to address urgent issues such as accountability for war crimes and the management of mass graves [4ccea72f]. As the caretaker government navigates these turbulent waters, the international community is closely monitoring its progress and the implications for Syria's future stability and governance [187bedbe][4a0c7745].