Webinar · October 1, 2026
Dispatch from the New Syria: Opportunities and Challenges
Nearly two years after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, Syria’s new leadership is still finding its footing. Join AL-MONITOR for a live conversation on what has changed on the ground in Damascus and what comes next.
What has changed on the ground in Damascus and what comes next?
Nearly two years after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, Syria’s new leadership is still finding its footing. President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has made major progress on the political transition and sanctions relief, but major tests remain: integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions, deterring Israeli incursions and attracting investments needed to rebuild.
Join AL-MONITOR Thursday at 2:00 for a conversation with Amberin Zaman, fresh from her latest reporting trip to Syria, and featuring Ibrahim Al-Assil and Aaron Zelin, to be moderated by Joyce Karam.
What we'll cover
- Syria and Israel: The continued incursions into Syrian territory, the situation in Suwayda and what’s at stake for Syria’s Druze community
- The Kurds: What the dissolution and integration of the SDF means for Syria’s Kurdish population and the country’s broader political and security landscape
- Reconstruction: Can Damascus attract the billions needed to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure and economy?
- The road ahead: The opportunities and potential flashpoints likely to shape Syria’s next chapter
Speakers
Amberin Zaman
Chief Correspondent at AL-MONITOR, covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa with a focus on geopolitical trends, diplomacy and human rights.
Ibrahim Al-Assil
Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project and senior research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Middle East Initiative, where he leads the Syria Transition Lab.
Dr. Aaron Zelin
Gloria and Ken Levy Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he also directs the Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map project.
Joyce Karam
Moderator. Editor-in-Chief of AL-MONITOR and an award-winning journalist with decades of experience covering the Middle East, US foreign policy and international affairs.
About AL-MONITOR
AL-MONITOR is an award-winning digital media publication founded in 2012, dedicated to independent journalism and expert analysis of the Middle East and North Africa. AL-MONITOR reports from across the region, capturing the full spectrum of voices that shape it, and has become the go-to source for policymakers, diplomats, researchers, business leaders, and journalists who seek to best understand the trends impacting policy and business decisions.
Independent since 2012
14+ years of coverage
Reporting from across the region