{"id":40927,"date":"2026-01-05T16:06:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T16:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/?p=40927"},"modified":"2026-01-05T16:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T16:06:21","slug":"will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Despite the ruins of war continuing to bear witness to a decade of international paralysis, a notable development has emerged behind the scenes in Riyadh. This followed the announcement by Osama al-Qadi, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Economy in Syria\u2019s interim government, of a proposal to convene an international conference on Syria\u2019s reconstruction under US sponsorship and with the participation of international financial institutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The move has been described as a potential turning point in a file long suspended between destruction and sanctions. The proposed conference is viewed as a practical bridge between sanctions relief and the actual launch of reconstruction. However, experts caution against inflated expectations, stressing that any genuine reconstruction process remains contingent on a comprehensive political settlement.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Economic Ambition and Political Complexity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renewed discussion of a proposed international conference on Syria\u2019s reconstruction in the Saudi capital, Riyadh \u2013 under US auspices and with the involvement of international financial institutions \u2013 has once again drawn attention to one of the most complex dimensions of the Syrian conflict: can reconstruction be separated from politics, or has reconstruction itself become a political instrument?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political analyst Najm al-Abdallah argues, in comments to <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, that the statements issued by Osama al-Qadi suggest that the conference, if held, would represent a pivotal moment aimed at addressing the structural obstacles to reconstruction \u2013 foremost among them the fragility of the banking sector, weak investor confidence, and Syria\u2019s lack of integration into the global financial system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He adds, however, that these priorities, important as they are, raise deeper questions that extend beyond economics to the heart of the regional and international political equation. The choice of Riyadh as host carries clear political significance. Saudi Arabia, seeking to consolidate its role as a regional actor capable of managing balances, appears well positioned to function as a dialogue platform between Damascus, Washington, and international financial institutions. Yet this role does not necessarily imply an outright embrace of the reconstruction project. Rather, it reflects an attempt to organise a potential reconstruction pathway under defined political and economic conditions, ensuring that reconstruction does not become a political or financial burden for its sponsors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al-Abdallah sees the Riyadh conference as transcending economics, constituting a political test of Saudi Arabia\u2019s role as a balancing platform between Damascus and Washington, and an attempt to structure reconstruction under international conditions and US sponsorship that could lead to a form of \u2018conditional financial normalisation\u2019. The central question remains: does capital precede a political solution, or does reconstruction remain hostage to incomplete settlements?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He concludes by noting that the estimated cost of reconstruction \u2013 around USD 216 billion according to the World Bank \u2013 exceeds the capacity of any single conference. Sustainable security is also essential: investors are inherently risk-averse, and any border instability \u2013 such as Israeli activity in the south or Islamic State operations in the Badia \u2013 freezes capital flows. Reconstruction, he stresses, is not merely about \u2018cement and steel\u2019, but about a comprehensive legislative and political environment. If convened, the Riyadh conference will be an international test of intentions before it becomes a funding conference. Reconstruction begins with trust, not money, and is measured not by the scale of pledges but by the state\u2019s ability to manage funds transparently and responsibly. In the absence of a comprehensive political settlement, Syria\u2019s reconstruction remains a deferred project \u2013 discussed more than it is financed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/22\/12\/2025\/syrias-economy-after-caesar-a-numbers-driven-assessment\/#\">Syria\u2019s Economy After Caesar: A Numbers-Driven Assessment<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Has Damascus Created an \u2018Investor-Friendly\u2019 Environment?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syrian economic expert Tamim al-Qahtani, based in Riyadh, told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Osama al-Qadi\u2019s characterisation of the conference as an opportunity to build a \u2018practical bridge\u2019 between sanctions relief and genuine reconstruction captures the core idea that must be examined: reconstruction will not be a mere \u2018political decision\u2019, but the outcome of deep technical understandings concerning banking sector reform, sovereign and investment guarantees, and Syria\u2019s gradual reintegration into the global financial system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this conception, the conference resembles an operational hub for designing a \u2018financial roadmap\u2019 that precedes bulldozers and concrete \u2013 defining who will finance what, how, and under which legal framework.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al-Qahtani argues that the fragility of Syria\u2019s economic and banking infrastructure represents the central risk to any international investment. The banking system suffers from weak domestic and international confidence, lack of effective integration into global financial networks, and limited capacity to finance large-scale projects or guarantee the repatriation of profits and capital. These challenges are compounded by weak legislation and the absence of a stable, credible legal, regulatory, and judicial framework \u2013 conditions that cannot be bypassed. As a result, the Syrian market remains high-risk even in the event of sanctions relief, leaving fundamental questions unanswered regarding property protection, dispute resolution, and freedom of capital movement once investments enter the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Can the Conference Bridge Sanctions and Reconstruction?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic analyst Mahmoud al-Hassan told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the anticipated Riyadh conference is being viewed as a potential shift in how the Syrian file is approached \u2013 moving weight away from stalled political negotiations towards economic support platforms. Al-Qadi\u2019s remarks go beyond fundraising, pointing instead to an attempt to re-engineer Syria\u2019s banking system and integrate it into the global financial network under unprecedented US cover and sponsorship. This suggests understandings that may circumvent the obstacles posed by the Caesar Act and restore to Riyadh a leadership role in the file through \u2018financial diplomacy\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, this trajectory remains conditional on sovereign guarantees and deep banking and legal reforms to rebuild international trust, amid major challenges related to exchange-rate stability, the isolation of Syrian banks, transfer monitoring, and the fragility of governing laws. These factors place the protection of foreign capital at the heart of any effort to activate Syria\u2019s economy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Is the Hour of Reconstruction Approaching?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social researcher Siham Marwan told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the significance of the conference lies in its implications for the future of millions of Syrians and for the economic and social stability of the region, as well as in its potential impact on Syrians\u2019 ability to remain in their country and stem migration. While the discussion revolves around figures and investments, the humanitarian dimension remains central.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Against the backdrop of UN estimates placing losses at over USD 400 billion, and with more than 90 per cent of Syrians living below the poverty line, the Riyadh conference raises profound questions \u2013 particularly among Syrian youth \u2013 about whether it could open the door to genuine employment opportunities, a knowledge economy, and start-ups supported by clear legislation, or whether it will amount merely to large-scale contracts for major corporations. Marwan highlights the potential role of the diaspora as a financial and technological bridge for reconstruction, stressing that rebuilding does not mean restoring bricks alone, but rebuilding trust and the social contract.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any reconstruction detached from addressing the root causes of the crisis, she warns, risks entrenching new economic realities without improving Syrians\u2019 lives. The success of the conference, if held, will depend on Damascus\u2019s ability to offer real guarantees to citizens \u2013 transforming \u2018reconstruction dollars\u2019 from promises made in hotel halls into tangible change in devastated cities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/08\/12\/2025\/syrias-economy-one-year-on-what-has-really-changed\/#\">Syria\u2019s Economy One Year On: What Has Really Changed?<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>What Can the Conference Actually Achieve?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Economic expert Dr Hassan Murad told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that if the Riyadh conference is convened as promoted, it could operate on two levels. Politically, it would symbolically confirm that Syria\u2019s reconstruction file has entered the realm of international and regional understandings rather than remaining a slogan. Economically, it would seek to crystallise concrete mechanisms, such as programmes to reform the banking sector under the supervision or guidance of international financial institutions, and the development of sovereign and commercial investment-guarantee instruments to encourage Arab and foreign capital.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Murad adds that the distinction between a conference that launches a new dynamic and one that ends with a polished closing statement will be measured by the parties\u2019 ability to translate broad headings into practical steps that are time-bound, politically protected, and legally anchored.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the ruins of war continuing to bear witness to a decade of international paralysis, a notable development has emerged behind the scenes in Riyadh. This followed the announcement by Osama al-Qadi, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Economy in Syria\u2019s interim government, of a proposal to convene an international conference on Syria\u2019s reconstruction under [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":137,"featured_media":40928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","single_blog_custom":"0","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"left-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"float","share_float_style":"share-normal","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"g:i a d\/m\/Y","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"1","zoom_button_out_step":"5","zoom_button_in_step":"4","show_post_tag":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"The Riyadh conference and Syria\u2019s reconstruction: testing intentions before opening the funding vaults"},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"jnews_post_split":{"post_split":[{"template":"1","tag":"h2","numbering":"asc","mode":"normal","first":"0","enable_toc":"0","toc_type":"normal"}]},"footnotes":""},"categories":[430,19],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[429],"class_list":["post-40927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights","category-slider"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh? - 963+<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Can Riyadh bridge sanctions and reconstruction in Syria? Analysts assess the political, financial, and legal tests facing any real rebuilding effort.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Can Riyadh bridge sanctions and reconstruction in Syria? Analysts assess the political, financial, and legal tests facing any real rebuilding effort.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"963+\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/963mediaAr\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-05T16:06:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"512\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mazen Al-Shahin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@963mediaAr\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@963mediaAr\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mazen Al-Shahin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mazen Al-Shahin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/98eb011677e06d6391e93384df49a67d\"},\"headline\":\"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-05T16:06:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1323,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Insights\",\"Slider\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/\",\"name\":\"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh? - 963+\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-05T16:06:21+00:00\",\"description\":\"Can Riyadh bridge sanctions and reconstruction in Syria? Analysts assess the political, financial, and legal tests facing any real rebuilding effort.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":512},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/05\\\/01\\\/2026\\\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"963+\",\"description\":\"A diverse political, economic, cultural, and social website.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639 \u0633\u064a\u0627\u0633\u064a \u0627\u0642\u062a\u0635\u0627\u062f\u064a \u062b\u0642\u0627\u0641\u064a \u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u064a \u0645\u0646\u0648\u0651\u0639\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"\u0633\u0648\u0631\u064a\u0627 \u0648\u0627\u062d\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0647\u0627\",\"alternateName\":\"\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639 \u0633\u064a\u0627\u0633\u064a \u0627\u0642\u062a\u0635\u0627\u062f\u064a \u062b\u0642\u0627\u0641\u064a \u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u064a \u0645\u0646\u0648\u0651\u0639\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/392787211_122123525570182848_4459271165355755754_n.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/392787211_122123525570182848_4459271165355755754_n.jpg\",\"width\":960,\"height\":960,\"caption\":\"\u0633\u0648\u0631\u064a\u0627 \u0648\u0627\u062d\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0647\u0627\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/963mediaAr\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/963mediaAr\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/963media.ar\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/t.me\\\/ar963media\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/98eb011677e06d6391e93384df49a67d\",\"name\":\"Mazen Al-Shahin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/09\\\/81.jpg1528f3218a6ee026fe74f3a753d3bf4d\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/09\\\/81.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/09\\\/81.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Mazen Al-Shahin\"},\"description\":\"Economic editor at +963\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/963media.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/mazen-al-shahin\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh? - 963+","description":"Can Riyadh bridge sanctions and reconstruction in Syria? Analysts assess the political, financial, and legal tests facing any real rebuilding effort.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?","og_description":"Can Riyadh bridge sanctions and reconstruction in Syria? Analysts assess the political, financial, and legal tests facing any real rebuilding effort.","og_url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/","og_site_name":"963+","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/963mediaAr","article_published_time":"2026-01-05T16:06:21+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":512,"url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mazen Al-Shahin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@963mediaAr","twitter_site":"@963mediaAr","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mazen Al-Shahin","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/"},"author":{"name":"Mazen Al-Shahin","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/98eb011677e06d6391e93384df49a67d"},"headline":"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?","datePublished":"2026-01-05T16:06:21+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/"},"wordCount":1323,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg","articleSection":["Insights","Slider"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/","name":"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh? - 963+","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-05T16:06:21+00:00","description":"Can Riyadh bridge sanctions and reconstruction in Syria? Analysts assess the political, financial, and legal tests facing any real rebuilding effort.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639-117-1024x512-1.jpg","width":1024,"height":512},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/05\/01\/2026\/will-damascuss-economic-gates-open-from-riyadh\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Will Damascus\u2019s Economic Gates Open from Riyadh?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/","name":"963+","description":"A diverse political, economic, cultural, and social website.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#organization"},"alternateName":"\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639 \u0633\u064a\u0627\u0633\u064a \u0627\u0642\u062a\u0635\u0627\u062f\u064a \u062b\u0642\u0627\u0641\u064a \u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u064a \u0645\u0646\u0648\u0651\u0639","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#organization","name":"\u0633\u0648\u0631\u064a\u0627 \u0648\u0627\u062d\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0647\u0627","alternateName":"\u0645\u0648\u0642\u0639 \u0633\u064a\u0627\u0633\u064a \u0627\u0642\u062a\u0635\u0627\u062f\u064a \u062b\u0642\u0627\u0641\u064a \u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u064a \u0645\u0646\u0648\u0651\u0639","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/392787211_122123525570182848_4459271165355755754_n.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/392787211_122123525570182848_4459271165355755754_n.jpg","width":960,"height":960,"caption":"\u0633\u0648\u0631\u064a\u0627 \u0648\u0627\u062d\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0647\u0627"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/963mediaAr","https:\/\/x.com\/963mediaAr","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/963media.ar\/","https:\/\/t.me\/ar963media"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/98eb011677e06d6391e93384df49a67d","name":"Mazen Al-Shahin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/81.jpg1528f3218a6ee026fe74f3a753d3bf4d","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/81.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/81.jpg","caption":"Mazen Al-Shahin"},"description":"Economic editor at +963","url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/author\/mazen-al-shahin\/"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":429,"user_id":137,"is_guest":0,"slug":"mazen-al-shahin","display_name":"Mazen Al-Shahin","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/81.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/81.jpg"},"author_category":"1","first_name":"Mazen","last_name":"Al-Shahin","job_title":"Economic editor at +963","description":"Economic editor at +963"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/137"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40927"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40927\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40929,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40927\/revisions\/40929"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40927"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=40927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}