Syrian people must not be failed again

What the report says

Al Jazeera published an opinion article on July 22, 2026, by Martin Griffiths, the former UN humanitarian chief and veteran diplomat, arguing that Syria’s postwar stability now depends heavily on economic recovery. Griffiths reflects on what he describes as 15 years of suffering for Syrians and shortcomings in international engagement, including his own work with the UN Special Envoy’s office and OCHA during the conflict.

The article says the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the takeover of Damascus opened the way for peace, but Griffiths warns that peacebuilding remains fragile, citing recent bombings in the capital and the continuing risk that destabilising actors could undermine the transition. He says humanitarian aid is still reaching Syria, including support from Gulf states and European Union members, but argues that aid alone cannot provide a durable answer to the country’s needs.

Griffiths identifies economic revival as the central priority, saying Syrians have been impoverished by war, sanctions and financial collapse, with two-thirds now living in extreme poverty. He points to potential in sectors such as banking, energy, construction, food processing, agribusiness and light manufacturing, and says expatriate funds, wider international capital and technical assistance could all contribute to recovery.

According to Griffiths, two obstacles remain especially important: lifting remaining sanctions and reducing risk for investors. He says a recent US move to delist Syria as a “state sponsor of terror” would help, but argues Damascus must still create clearer legal protections, predictable rules and credible institutions. The piece is explicitly presented as the author’s view, not Al Jazeera’s editorial position.