“Lessons from the Fall of the Syrian Regime”

The fall of the Syrian regime offers a stark reminder of the fragility of oppressive systems and the unpredictable trajectory of political upheavals. By 2010, unemployment was rampant, exceeding 15%, while nearly 30% of Syrians lived below the poverty line. Adding to this was a devastating drought (2006–2010) that displaced 1.5 million rural farmers, amplifying discontent in a population already grappling with economic hardship.