In his first media appearance from Damascus in over a decade, Syrian intellectual and academic Dr. Burhan Ghalioun stressed that there can be no salvation for Syria without national reconciliation, transitional justice, and genuine popular partnership. Speaking on Syria Today via Syria TV, Ghalioun voiced cautious optimism about the country’s future, despite the enormity of the challenges ahead.
He emphasized that the Syrian people—through their generosity, values, and history of coexistence—are the country’s most valuable asset in the pursuit of unity and the building of a just, democratic state.
A Heavy Inheritance
Ghalioun noted that the new technocratic Syrian government inherits a crippling legacy: widespread corruption, physical destruction, deep societal divisions, and burdensome international sanctions. Confronting these issues, he argued, requires a comprehensive national vision—one that prioritizes restoring security, rebuilding infrastructure, ending factionalism, reviving state institutions, and rooting out corruption.
Justice First: A Prerequisite for Recovery
At the heart of any recovery, Ghalioun asserted, must be a genuine process of transitional justice—one that clearly distinguishes between the innocent and the culpable, and shields citizens from personal or sectarian revenge.
He called for an inclusive and open national dialogue, free from state hegemony, and proposed the creation of an independent national forum that brings together religious leaders, intellectuals, businesspeople, and political actors to address the country’s pressing political, economic, social, and psychological grievances.
“Syria has come through a national ordeal akin to death,” Ghalioun said, “but its people—wounded as they are—remain capable of recovery if guided by leaders with genuine national commitment.”
Homs: A Microcosm of the Crisis
Reflecting on his recent visit to his hometown of Homs, Ghalioun described the scale of destruction and societal fragmentation as staggering. Yet he was deeply moved by the dignity and generosity shown by its residents. “The Syrian people still hold onto their ethics and generosity—not just materially, but in their warmth and mutual respect. These are vital foundations for recovery,” he said.
He added that the crisis in Homs and similar regions is not solely economic, but deeply psychological and social, aggravated by the absence of meaningful reconciliation and dialogue efforts. Healing these fractures, he stressed, requires a joint effort from the state, society, and national elites.
Failing Elites and the Centrality of Society
Ghalioun levelled sharp criticism at Syria’s political, cultural, and economic elites, accusing them of prioritising power struggles over public service. “Rather than guiding and healing their people, they distanced themselves from them,” he said.
However, he praised grassroots initiatives such as the local charitable campaigns he witnessed in Homs, which he described as the true essence of national recovery. “Social mobilisation—not passive dependence on the state—is where real solutions begin.”
A Call for Economic Self-Reliance
On economic matters, Ghalioun urged Syrians to abandon the illusion that international sanctions will be lifted unconditionally. “The countries imposing them will not do so without a price,” he said, arguing that Syrians should act as if sanctions are permanent and instead harness local resources, especially the energy of youth and the potential of small-scale enterprises.
He criticised the widely held belief that investment hinges on lifting sanctions. “This self-imposed paralysis only legitimises the sanctions,” he warned. Instead, he called for the launch of grassroots development projects—from agriculture to crafts—and the establishment of a secure, legally sound environment to encourage private investment.
Business Needs a Safe Environment
While some Syrian business figures are ready to invest, Ghalioun warned that capital is inherently cautious and will not venture into instability. “The key to attracting investors lies in establishing clear laws, enforceable guarantees, and above all, security,” he said. Betting on business without preparing the right conditions, he cautioned, is a recipe for disappointment.
Rebuilding Citizenship and Democratic Participation
Politically, Ghalioun stressed the urgency of initiating a bottom-up democratic transition—beginning with free local elections and democratic trade unions, the revival of cultural and political life, and meaningful citizen participation in decision-making.
He underscored that restoring public trust in the state requires consistent and transparent official messaging that reaffirms the equal rights of all Syrians, regardless of sect or affiliation. “Syria is not the property of one group—it is a shared homeland. Every citizen must feel like an equal stakeholder,” he said.
He warned of the dangers of ideological and religious polarization, which can serve as a veil for sectarian mobilisation. Ghalioun called for moving beyond rigid binaries such as “secular vs. Islamist,” and toward a national dialogue grounded in democratic values and the real needs of Syrian society.
Law and Justice as the Foundation of the State
Ghalioun emphasized that the rule of law and state-administered justice must replace sectarian or tribal loyalties. “Where justice is absent, people turn to narrow identities—and those identities cannot produce a modern state,” he said. “A state that fails to protect its citizens loses its legitimacy.”
Foreign Relations Start from Within
In foreign policy, Ghalioun advocated for building balanced relations with all regional and international powers—except those openly hostile to Syria. But this, he stressed, hinges on internal unity. Arab governments, he noted, are closely watching to see whether the new Syrian leadership can bridge internal divisions and form an authority that enjoys broad-based legitimacy.
He also addressed the ongoing Israeli airstrikes, describing them as attempts to pressure the new government into normalization. “The response to these attacks is not purely military,” he said. “It begins with building a unified, cohesive society capable of asserting its regional presence.”
Between Sanctions and Strategic Openings
Ghalioun believes that Europe is more inclined than the United States to re-engage with Syria—on the condition that serious progress is visible on the ground. He stressed that Syrian stability is in Europe’s direct interest, particularly in light of migration concerns and the desire to curb Iranian influence.
He also noted that the current rift between Western powers, particularly over Ukraine and global influence, creates diplomatic space for Syria to strengthen its ties with Europe—an opportunity, he said, that must not be missed.
A Revolution Delayed, Not Defeated
On a personal note, Ghalioun reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the ultimate victory of the Syrian revolution. Despite the devastating impact of foreign intervention—especially by Russia and Iran—he insists the revolution was never defeated but merely “contained by an international alliance.”
“The revolution’s victory has been delayed, not denied,” he concluded. “It will come—if Syrians commit to rebuilding their homeland inclusively, with no one excluded, and launch the kind of comprehensive national dialogue that restores dignity and agency to the Syrian citizen.”
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
