Virtual Roundtable - Contours of Transition: Regional Dynamics and the Evolving Landscapes in Syria and Lebanon

SRMG Think hosted a virtual roundtable titled “Contours of Transition: Regional Dynamics and the Evolving Landscapes in Syria and Lebanon”.

Against a backdrop of ongoing reform efforts in Lebanon and renewed international attention on Syria’s transitional phase, the session examined how regional and global engagement is shaping political and economic trajectories in both countries.

Former US Special Envoy to Syria, Ambassador Frederic C. Hof, underscored that “it is essential for Washington to put on the ground in Damascus a senior diplomat capable of forming relationships of trust and confidence with Syria’s new leaders”.

Dr. Amal Mudallali, former Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Nations, reflected that “the foremost American sanctions tool, once aimed at punishing the regime, now risks stifling the very transition it was meant to support”.

On Lebanon, Dr. Paul Salem Vice President for International Engagement at the Middle East Institute, stressed that “there’s no such thing as a healthy economy in a collapsed state. Without sovereignty and rule of law, economic reforms have no foundation”.

The discussion reflected the importance of informed, multi-perspective dialogue in shaping policy thinking across the region, bringing together strategic insights that help frame the complexity and opportunity in this evolving moment.

The session was moderated by Neda Almubarak, Managing Director of SRMG Think.

 

"Additionally, Syria has restored its relations with the Arab world, with Saudi Arabia playing a pivotal role in both political and financial support, leading the integration of Syria into the Arab and international community". Speaking at SRMG Think’s virtual roundtable last week, H.E. Dr. Amal Mudallali, former Ambassador of Lebanon to the United Nations, highlighted the strategic shift underway. She noted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hosting key meetings with the IMF and World Bank to coordinate aid for Syria’s transition, and emphasized the importance of renewed Arab engagement in facilitating Syria’s political and economic recovery. Since the discussion, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have jointly moved to help alleviate Syria’s $15 million debt at the World Bank, an important step in restoring access to international financial mechanisms and strengthening Syria’s reintegration into the global economy.

 

"The United States is still not present diplomatically in Damascus. It is essential for Washington to put on the ground a senior diplomat capable of forming relationships of trust and confidence with Syria’s new leaders". Speaking at SRMG Think’s virtual roundtable last week, Ambassador Frederic C. Hof (@FredericHof) former US Special Envoy to Syria, emphasized that American engagement in Syria remains critical. He stressed that "what happens in Syria doesn’t stay in Syria" and that protecting US interests requires active diplomatic presence, not just military or remote engagement. He called for leadership from the Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to address this strategic gap.

 


“Reconstruction in Syria is not about aid alone, it is about creating the conditions for long-term investment”. Speaking at SRMG Think’s virtual roundtable last week, Dr. @paul_salem, Vice President for International Engagement at the Middle East Institute, responded to a question regarding the UN’s estimate that Syria’s reconstruction could cost at least $250 billion. Salem noted that the figure may, in fact, be modest given the scale of physical destruction and institutional collapse.