Syria faces more daunting challenges than Libya did in 2011, highlighted by deep social divisions, a devastated infrastructure, and a complex geopolitical landscape. The situation calls for cautious optimism as Syrians navigate a new political reality following the fall of the Assad regime, per commentary from Chatham House.

The issue:  

Syria's transition is fraught with difficulties, including a death toll exceeding 600,000 and a significant refugee crisis. The country's infrastructure has been severely damaged, which creates a deeply fragmented society with intricate communal rifts.

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The economic instability in Syria is exacerbated by the lack of a united national interest, as its oil resources are mainly in Kurdish-controlled areas rather than widely shared. In comparison, Libya's economy depended on oil, fostering some cooperation among rival factions. Lessons from Libya highlight the risks of external meddling, which could destabilize any fragile agreements among Syrian factions.

This is a brief overview of a commentary from Chatham House. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full commentary.