39: Inside Syria’s Struggle for Governance and Stability

For more than a decade, Syria was defined by war, displacement, and devastation. The fall of Bashar al-Assad marked a historic turning point but also raised a difficult question: What comes next for a country rebuilding after years of conflict? Baker Institute Fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen speaks with Mona Yacoubian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about Syria’s fragile transition. They discuss the country’s political and economic challenges, prospects for refugee return, and the role regional powers and the international community may play in shaping its future. This conversation was recorded on June 3, 2026. Listen and subscribe to “Baker Briefing” on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.   You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.