OPINION
The current state of Syria presents an evolving reality, and also offers a significant opportunity for the Trump administration to redefine the U.S. policy in the region.
By extending an olive branch, prioritizing humanitarian goals, fostering regional stability, and safeguarding national security interests, the U.S. can simultaneously promote economic engagement and lead Syria’s rebuilding process.
A modern day "Marshall Plan for Syria" could serve as the cornerstone of this strategy, fostering long-term stability while positioning the U.S. as a global leader in post-conflict recovery in the Mideast.
Drawing from over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and a deep understanding of the region’s history and challenges, the incoming Trump administration has the tools required to make a meaningful impact in Syria and the region.
To start, the administration must prioritize humanitarian access and the return of millions of Syrian refugees.
Addressing immediate housing needs, creating jobs, and fostering social reintegration are critical steps needed to rebuild the fabric of Syrian society.
Facilitating humanitarian aid delivery will require investment in critical infrastructure, including telecommunications, healthcare, and education.
Projects like the OFAC-licensed Alasia subsea cable, which enhances Syria’s telecommunications infrastructure while complying with sanctions, stand as models of progress and hope.
Equally essential is engaging with Syria’s new all-inclusive caretaker government.
A cautious but open approach should emphasize accountability, inclusivity, and respect for all ethnicities and religions, paving the way toward democracy, stability, and free elections.
Direct dialogue with local governance structures can lay the groundwork for trust, while evolving security conditions may warrant reassessing the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Syria to re-establish vital diplomatic channels.
Strategically utilizing sanctions will be key to balancing pressure with incentives for reform. The Caesar Act sanctions should remain in place but could be paired with phased relief contingent on measurable benchmarks, such as improved transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for human rights.
OFAC licenses should be used to support projects that directly benefit civilians, fostering good governance and combating corruption.
Simultaneously, fostering multilateral collaboration with EU allies, NATO, Türkiye, Gulf nations, and international organizations will amplify efforts to rebuild Syria and isolate malign actors.
On the security front, the U.S. must maintain a strategic military presence in Syria’s oil-rich regions. This presence will safeguard American interests, prevent the resurgence of extremist groups, and ensure stability during the rebuilding process.
A Marshall Plan-style initiative for Syria, focusing on housing, energy, transportation, water, and telecommunications, could drive transformative change.
Reconstruction efforts should draw lessons from past experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mobilizing American companies and Gulf investors through public-private partnerships (PPPs), with incentives tied to transparency and compliance, can accelerate progress. Immediate attention should be directed to critical infrastructure projects, such as housing, power grids, clean water systems, and roads.
Pilot initiatives like Alasia can set the stage for larger investments.
Incentivizing compliance and reform must remain a central tenet of U.S. policy.
Targeted economic incentives should reward regions that adhere to international standards, anti-corruption practices, and humanitarian principles.
As reforms take root, the gradual lifting of sanctions, coupled with development financing from multilateral banks and private investors, can sustain momentum.
Regional economic integration offers another pathway to stability.
Cross-border trade and infrastructure partnerships with neighboring countries can stimulate economic growth and reinforce ties that promote peace.
Moreover, fostering digital transformation will connect Syria to the global economy, enhance governance, and support economic recovery.
Initiatives like Alasia can modernize Syria’s digital infrastructure and telecommunications sector under the Clean Network Initiative, ensuring secure, transparent, and AI-capable infrastructure.
Adopting this multifaceted framework will allow the Trump administration to navigate the complexities of Syria’s evolving situation while advancing U.S. humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical goals.
A "Marshall Plan for Syria," though ambitious, would position the U.S. as a leader in post-conflict recovery in Syria and the Mideast, balancing strategic interests with the moral imperative to aid a Syrian nation in rebuilding.
Such a policy would not only enhance stability in Syria and the Mideast but also reinforce America’s role as a global advocate for peace and development.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." Through careful planning, collaboration, and bold leadership, the U.S. can help usher Syria into a new era of recovery and progress.
Adrian Shatku is the Founder and CEO of UNIFI Communications, as well as an alumnus of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. He spearheads the OFAC-licensed Alasia Initiative, a 240 km repeaterless submarine cable system linking Pentaskhinos, Cyprus, and Tartus, Syria, which currently provides approximately 80% of Syria’s internet connectivity.