Amid the flurry of rapidly unfolding news and the struggle between major powers (Iran, the US, and Israel), Syrians were glued to their television screens, following the brutal conflict between parties many Syrians see as complicit in their suffering.
This preoccupation, despite its significant security and political implications, led to a temporary lull in the intensity of public pressure and daily demands for basic necessities that had dominated the Syrian scene.
A Forced Respite from Public Pressure
It seems the government has found an unexpected respite in this regional escalation. While the public is focused on monitoring the flight paths of aircraft and drones, criticism of the government's sluggish performance has subsided, and the calls for radical economic reforms have diminished. However, observers believe this lull in public demands is temporary and fragile, stemming from fear of the unknown military consequences rather than satisfaction with the current state of public services.
The Golden Opportunity: Turning “Breathing” into Action
The current state of “silence” prevailing in the streets should not be interpreted by the government as a license to act, but rather as a final opportunity to get its act together.
It is essential to seize this lost time by initiating concrete measures to control prices and secure basic commodities, setting aside the excuse of “exceptional circumstances.” The period of relative calm in some sectors should be used to repair the energy and water systems, which have reached critical levels.
Instead of hiding behind the veil of war, the government must present a clear action plan to lift citizens out of the ever-widening abyss of poverty.
The Syrians’ preoccupation with the battles of “others” on their land does not mean they have forgotten their livelihoods. If the government fails to make the most of this opportunity to achieve a genuine breakthrough, the coming pressure may prove too much to bear once the dust settles from the external conflicts.
Al-Hussein Al-Shishakli - Zaman Al-Wasl
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