Since December 8, the new Syrian government’s rhetoric has focused on two main points: first, portraying itself as the inheritor of a broken, devastated, and fractured state, burdened with debts that may be impossible to repay even in the medium term;

Despite some local media outlets in Syria and Jordan celebrating this as a positive development for both nations, Syrian exports to Jordan actually declined by 7.1%, from 14 million to 13 million Jordanian dinars year-on-year.

Despite the apparent gains and optimistic promises from both Turkey and Syria of a trade boom and increased cargo traffic crossing the borders, one key question remains: is the Syrian market truly the primary focus of Turkey's trade facilitation efforts?

A comparison of the former regime during its final years with the current government's first six months shows the former was more capable of adapting to sanctions and economic isolation, despite minimal access to global markets and trade.

Just months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria’s new rulers are racing to implement a sweeping free market agenda despite the fact that similar policies under Assad have failed.