By Michael Arizanti
Five months ago, I didn’t expect to be writing this. Like many others, I assumed Syria would continue to drift- caught between foreign agendas, internal chaos, and the long shadow of war. But what I’ve seen in just a short time under the new Syrian leadership has genuinely impressed me. Not just on paper, but on the ground, where real lives are being affected every single day.
Since assuming control, the new government has taken bold, unapologetic steps to restore sovereignty. They didn’t just talk about pushing back foreign influence- they did it. Israeli attempts to seize Quneitra under the so-called “Druze Project” were shut down completely. Militias- once considered untouchable- have been disbanded, including those aligned with Iran. That alone would have been a major headline. But that’s just the start.
A nationwide crackdown on Captagon has dismantled the drug labs and smuggling networks that were poisoning the region. Law enforcement has been rebuilt from the ground up with a newly trained national police force maintaining order. And let’s be clear: this wasn’t some surface-level PR move. In cities like Aleppo and Hama, We’ve seen the difference- electricity, clean water, functioning hospitals. The basics of life are coming back.
The economic recovery is equally striking. Oil production is up. Border crossings with Iraq, Jordan, and even Turkey are reopening. Trade is flowing again. The Syrian pound has been reinstated as the national currency, and the Damascus airport is alive with traffic. These are the nuts and bolts of sovereignty returning- not flashy headlines, but the foundations of a functioning state.
Diplomatically, Syria is stepping back onto the world stage. Agreements with Qatar, Egypt, and the UAE on reconstruction and energy are already signed. Sanctions relief has been secured from both the EU and the U.S.- something few of us thought possible this early.
What moves me most is the cultural and human dimension of this recovery. Churches and mosques once damaged or destroyed in Homs and Aleppo are being restored and reopened. UNESCO is now working with the government to rebuild Palmyra and Old Aleppo- symbols of Syrian heritage the world had nearly given up on.
Even stolen artifacts- hundreds of them- have been recovered with the help of Interpol and UNESCO. Meanwhile, land and property taken by foreign-backed militias under duress is being rightfully returned to Syrians. Highway tolls run by warlords are gone, and a unified tax and customs system is soon in place. It’s not just about rebuilding- it’s about justice.
I know some people might be skeptical. That’s fair. Syria’s recent history has left deep scars, and trust isn’t rebuilt overnight. But facts matter. Results matter. And the results speak for themselves.
This isn’t a case of blind loyalty or naïve optimism. It’s a recognition of something rare in our time: a sovereign nation refusing to be anyone’s pawn, rebuilding from its ruins with grit, intelligence, and resolve. I admire that. I respect that. And I believe it deserves to be acknowledged.
In a world of endless interventions and broken promises, Syria’s turnaround- driven by its own leadership and people- is nothing short of remarkable.
