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Post‑war settlement in Syria: will Germany remain on the sidelines?

Identificator
EDN: EBCVBB ; УДК: УДК 327.8(569.1)
Authors
Khderi Karina Yusefovna, PhD in Historical Sciences, member of the Board of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, associate professor at the School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, HSE University. Russia, Moscow; lecturer at the Institute of Social Sciences, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Russia, Moscow. ORCID: 0009‑0001‑5537‑1779. E‑mail: kh_deri@hotmail.com ; Khderi Dina Yusefovna, master of Faculty of Governance and Politics, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the MFA of Russia. Russia, Moscow. ORCID: 0000‑0002‑5063‑8278. E‑mail: khderi1999@gmail.com
Journal
HERALD OF HUMANITARIAN EDUCATION №1 (41), 2026
Section
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Pages
94-106
Abstract
Since 2013, Germany has virtually ceased official contacts with Damascus, while remaining one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid and hosting millions of Syrian refugees. However, with the fall of Bashar al‑Assad's regime, Germany's approach to Syria shifted fundamentally from near‑total isolation to active engagement with the new authorities. In this context, analyzing the prospects for Germany's participation in Syria's post‑war settlement is of high relevance. The key question of the article is whether Germany will remain on the sidelines of the post‑war settlement process or become an active participant in the international effort to rebuild the country. The aim of the study is to analyze the diplomatic initiatives and statements of German officials after 2024, as well as related international negotiations and, in order to determine Germany's position on this regional agenda. The article examines Germany's involvement in humanitarian and economic initiatives and analyzes official contacts with the new Syrian leadership. The research is conducted using qualitative analysis of official German statements and documents, leader's speeches, as well as media publications and reports by international organizations. The findings show that after 2024, Germany significantly intensified its engagement: it presented an eight‑point settlement plan, resumed diplomatic contacts, allocated substantial funds for humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Syria, contributed to the lifting of economic sanctions and launched new economic initiatives. The data indicate that Germany's foreign policy toward Syria combines continuity with a pragmatic drive to restore relations and stimulate the economy. However, these efforts are insufficient to compete with regional actors. The research results may be used by specialists in international relations and foreign policy when analyzing post‑conflict recovery processes, as well as in developing strategies for EU and German cooperation with the Middle East.
Keywords
Germany Syria post‑war settlement humanitarian strategy diplomatic rapprochement migration policy economic recovery
Recieved
27.08.2025
Published
03.06.2026

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