Speaking at the opening of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivered a sober assessment of the region's immediate future. In response to a question from Euronews, he acknowledged that "escalation is on the way" amid the ongoing war with Iran, adding that "with all the tensions, nobody can predict" the outcome. Yet he expressed hope that the situation "remains stable" and called on regional governments to "keep calm" and cooperate to "alleviate the problems that come" with conflict.
Al-Sharaa's remarks come at a delicate moment for the Middle East, with the conflict between Israel and Iran continuing to reverberate across the region. For Syria, which has endured decades of civil war and foreign intervention, the stakes are particularly high. The president framed his country's recovery as a story of resilience, noting that Syria is "being transformed into a story being told across the world" after overcoming the obstacles of its tragic past. He described the current period as "a new beginning" and "a big opportunity."
A new role for Syria
Al-Sharaa emphasised that Syria is positioning itself as a vital link in global supply chains, connecting East and West. He pointed to the United Arab Emirates as an example of "targeting the right opportunities," particularly in bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. "Syria has always been a trade pathway," he said, adding that "being traders and negotiators has been in our DNA." He insisted that Syria is "increasing its credibility" through transparency and honesty, and that it "is not affiliated towards any direction."
The president also stressed the importance of Arab solidarity, saying, "We rely on our dear brothers and sisters in the Arab world and learn from them, so we don't try to reinvent the wheel." This appeal for unity comes as Syria seeks to rebuild its economy and reintegrate into regional and international forums after years of isolation.
Challenges ahead
Despite the optimism, al-Sharaa acknowledged that the path forward will be difficult. "We are expecting some shocks," he admitted, and called for a "quieter stage" to allow reforms to take hold. He urged patience, saying that Damascus "needs to give it time" for the transformations to make their mark. The lifting of sanctions, which he credited to former US President Donald Trump, has helped "break the chain" of the past, but the country still faces immense challenges, including food insecurity and the need for foreign investment.
Al-Sharaa highlighted food security as a key priority for the region, noting that Syria offers opportunities for European investors and Gulf states. He expressed hope that the region can "spread peace" and that Syria can "find ways to mitigate the damage of war," which would ultimately support economic growth.
The summit, which runs through the week, brings together thousands of participants, including regional leaders, media executives, and analysts. Euronews is hosting its own forum on Wednesday, focusing on the role of media in a changing world.
Al-Sharaa also addressed the media's responsibility, saying, "It is a heavy burden to work in the media, to fact-check and to stay away from politicising." He warned that "people's lives are in the hands of the media" and called on journalists to "keep up with the Arab societies to be aware of the actual facts."
As the region braces for potential escalation, al-Sharaa's message is one of cautious hope. He urged Arab countries to work together to "spread peace" and to "alleviate the problems" that come with conflict, a sentiment that resonates beyond the Middle East. For Europe, which has a vested interest in regional stability, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Syria's new beginning can survive the pressures of a volatile neighbourhood.
