Almost two years after the fall of the Assad regime, where is Syria heading? In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, producer and researcher Andrea Crafoord-Wiklund flips the script and interviews regular host Dominic Bowen, who joins from Damascus after a week of meetings with Syrian government ministries.
Dominic shares what he is seeing on the ground, from the professionalization of the police to rebuilt roads, and explains why the gap between a quick revolution and a long rebuilding process is the biggest misperception abroad.
In this episode:
- Why Syria is still a high-risk environment despite looking calm and inviting
- President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s leadership and the role of the transitional parliament
- Israeli incursions, regional rivalries and who has gained or lost influence
- Whether conditions are ready for large-scale refugee returns
- The reality of reconstruction, with an estimated $216 billion needed
- What investors and businesses should know about risk and opportunity
- Why Syria matters for European security, migration policy and counterterrorism
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:35 Perception versus reality on the ground
02:29 Security situation today
04:18 Ahmed al-Sharaa as interim president
07:18 Inclusion and elections
09:38 Western warming and sanctions relief
12:14 Israel’s role in Syria
14:17 Turkey, Russia, Iran, the Gulf and the US
18:20 How ordinary Syrians are coping
21:03 Refugee returns
23:41 Reconstruction and investment opportunities
26:20 Why Syria matters globally
27:57 Lessons on risk and leadership
31:34 Syria’s future over the next five to ten years
The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.
Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.
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