INVITATION ــــــــــــ

Omran Syria Policy
Forum 2026

Transition to Statecraft:
Institutions, Security and
Economy Integration in Syria

A closed-door Assessment of Syria's Institutions
and the choices facing U.S. policy

Convened by: Omran Center for Strategic Studies, a program of Syrian Forum
Host Partners: New America & ASU Future Security Initiative
Co-Sponsor: U.S.-Syria Business Council

About The Forum:

Nearly two years after the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, Syria has entered a new phase in which the central challenge is no longer stabilization alone, but the consolidation of legitimate and effective state institutions.

The Omran Syria Policy Forum 2026 will bring together a select group of U.S. and Syrian government representatives, congressional and administration stakeholders, Damascus-based researchers, leading Washington policy experts, Syrian-American institutional leaders, and private-sector and investment professionals for a candid, closed-door assessment of Syria’s evolving trajectory.

The forum will examine three interconnected questions:

How are Syria’s governance institutions developing and building legitimacy?
Is a unified, professional, and accountable security architecture emerging?
What conditions are necessary for investment, economic recovery, and Syria’s reintegration into regional and global markets?

The discussion will move beyond broad assessments to examine practical opportunities, unresolved risks, and policy choices relevant to both Syria and the United States.

Program:

9:00–9:30 a.m. | Welcome Reception
Coffee and informal networking among participants.

9:30–10:00 a.m. | Opening & Framing Remarks
Opening perspectives from the convening institutions and invited U.S. and Syrian participants.

10:00–11:15 a.m. | Panel 1
Building the Syrian State: Institutions, Legitimacy, and Inclusion
Institutional coherence and governance performance; domestic legitimacy and international reintegration; inclusive governance; and priority institutional reforms.

11:15–11:30 a.m. | Coffee Break

11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | Panel 2
Security Institution Building: Governance and Control
Military and security institution-building; civilian oversight and accountability; integration of armed actors; counterterrorism; state control over force; and risks to long-term stability.

12:45–1:30 p.m. | Lunch

1:30–2:45 p.m. | Panel 3
Economic Recovery and Investment: Frameworks to Practice
Investment opportunities; Syria’s evolving business, legal, and regulatory environment; investor risk; sanctions and financial compliance; private-sector growth; and economic reintegration.

2:45–3:00 p.m. | Break

3:00–4:00 p.m. | Closing Strategic Conversation
The Way Ahead
A focused conversation on Syria’s next-phase priorities, institutional challenges, bilateral and international engagement, and the policy choices ahead.

Who Will Participate?

The forum will bring together representatives and experts from:

•⁠ ⁠U.S. and Syrian government institutions
•⁠ ⁠Congress and administration policy circles
•⁠ ⁠Leading Washington and Syria-focused policy experts
•⁠ ⁠Damascus-based researchers and practitioners
•⁠ ⁠Syrian-American institutions and organizations
•⁠ ⁠Business, investment, financial, and sanctions/compliance sectors

Participation:

Attendance is by invitation only, and space is limited.
Submitting an RSVP form does not automatically confirm attendance.
Confirmed participants will receive final event and logistical information by email.

Thursday

November 19,2026
9:00 am. - 4:00 pm.

New America

740 15th street NW, suit 900 Washington, DC 20005

By invitation only

In person

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS ـــــــــــ

Building the
Syrian State

Institutions, Legitimacy, and Inclusion

Security Institution Building

Governance and Control

Economic Recovery
and Investment

Frameworks to Practice

The Way
Ahead

Strategic
Conversation