Interim President Ahmed al‑Sharaa of Syria is using the renewed partnership with the United States, highlighted by President Donald Trump’s complete removal of sanctions, to attract foreign capital and rebuild a war‑torn economy. While diplomatic breakthroughs have drawn investment from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union, ordinary Syrians continue to feel the strain of rising fuel prices and a deep‑seated cost‑of‑living crisis.

Diplomatic gains and foreign investment

Since President Trump met al‑Sharaa four times beginning last May, the United States has lifted all sanctions on Syria, a move the Trump administration touts as a key catalyst for foreign investment. Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have collectively pledged roughly $28 billion in projects, while the European Union has committed $2.7 billion in support. French President Emmanuel Macron also signed several economic and infrastructure agreements during a July visit to Damascus.

Al‑Sharaa’s strategy is to re‑position Syria as a strategic trade corridor linking Asia and Europe, promoting a modern “Silk Road” that could serve as an alternative land bridge to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al‑Mandeb. Thousands of tanker trucks already transport Iraqi oil through Syria to the Mediterranean port of Baniyas, illustrating the nascent potential of this vision.

Economic reality on the ground

Despite these diplomatic successes, Syrians are confronting daily hardships. In early September, the government announced a sudden fuel‑price increase of up to 40 percent, blaming the global energy crisis linked to the Iran war. Massive protests erupted in eastern Syria, the largest since the fall of Bashar al‑Assad nearly two years ago. Security forces allowed demonstrators to disperse without arrests, a stark contrast to the repression of the former regime.

In response, the energy ministry rolled back some of the price hikes and the minister appeared before parliament, signaling a degree of accountability. Analysts note the government’s responsiveness as a positive sign, yet they caution that such measures will not resolve the underlying poverty. The World Bank estimates that two‑thirds of Syrians live below the lower‑middle‑income poverty line, surviving on less than $3.65 a day.

Expert perspectives

Ibrahim al‑Assil, director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Syria in Transition Lab, warned that repeated protests are likely unless tangible improvements reach households. “It is virtually impossible to overcome these severe economic challenges without real progress on cost‑of‑living issues,” he told CNN.

Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute echoed this sentiment, describing the current period as the end of a “honeymoon” phase. He emphasized that while large‑scale projects are essential for long‑term growth, they will not immediately lower the price of bread or fuel.

Local political economist Karam Shaar estimates that only about five percent of promised deals have materialized, with visible progress limited to power‑grid upgrades and renovations at Damascus airport by UCC Holding, a Syrian‑Qatari firm.

Balancing foreign ties and domestic needs

Al‑Sharaa maintains pragmatic relationships with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscoring Syria’s desire to stay engaged with a broad spectrum of global partners. However, the president also highlighted a pressing security concern at the United Nations: ongoing Israeli strikes, which he estimates total nearly 500 since he took office, and Israel’s occupation of parts of southern Syria.

These external threats add another layer of complexity to Syria’s reconstruction efforts. While the international community sees a rare consensus in supporting a stable Syria—believing it could curb extremism, encourage refugee returns, and promote regional stability—the reality for everyday citizens remains a slow march toward prosperity.

Looking ahead

Al‑Sharaa’s administration acknowledges that most infrastructure projects span a decade and will not instantly alleviate daily hardships. Nonetheless, the influx of small‑ and medium‑sized investments, spurred by the end of U.S. sanctions, offers hope for job creation and modest economic uplift in the near term.

For Syrians yearning for immediate relief, the message is clear: patience is wearing thin, and the government must translate diplomatic wins into tangible improvements for families across the country.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.