In the year since the fall of the Baath regime on December 8, 2024, most of the world has moved quickly to reengage with Syria's new leadership, with two notable exceptions: Iran and Israel.
The transitional administration in Damascus has worked intensively to return to the diplomatic arena, reopening channels that had been frozen for more than a decade and accelerating high-level contacts with capitals across the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Over the past year, Syria has reemerged in regional and international forums, revived ties with key neighbors, and welcomed the reopening of many embassies in its capital.
After 61 years of Baathist rule, many countries now see an opportunity to rebuild ties with Damascus and explore more constructive relations.
As diplomatic activity resumed, embassies that had been closed during the conflict began to reopen.
The Turkish embassy – closed in 2012 – reopened on December 14, 2024, once again raising the Turkish flag. Germany, Spain, Italy, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Morocco also reopened their embassies after about 13 years.
“I went to Damascus to raise the Spanish flag… because Spain supports Syria on its path to stability, with justice and security, and equal rights for all Syrian men and women,” the Spanish foreign minister wrote on social media to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the regime’s fall.
Some embassies that remained operational during the Assad era, such as Russia's, continue to operate.
China also plans to reopen its embassy in early 2026.
However, the Iranian embassy in Damascus, which was looted in December last year, has reportedly been closed since then.
President Ahmad al-Sharaa has led Syria's diplomatic comeback.
According to Syria's official news agency, SANA, he has made 21 visits to 13 countries since taking office on January 29. These are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, France, Bahrain, Kuwait, the US, Russia, Azerbaijan and Brazil.
His visit to Washington in November was highly symbolic, as he became the first Syrian leader ever hosted at the White House.
At the UN, he became the first Syrian president to address the General Assembly in nearly six decades. “Syria is reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world,” Sharaa told the international community.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has described Syria's emerging foreign policy as "new Syrian diplomacy" - an approach focused on dialogue, cooperation and presenting the country's identity after years of international isolation.
The new diplomacy, he said, aims to amplify the voice of Syrians and replace past policies of imposition.
Shaibani has also traveled widely, visiting Turkey, Gulf states, EU countries, the UK, Russia, China and the US, signaling an effort to rebuild Syria's global footprint and break significantly from the isolationist approach of the previous regime.
While Russia and China were Assad-era allies, the Sharaa administration is pursuing what officials call “balanced” and interest-driven relations with Moscow and Beijing.
Sharaa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow on October 15, signaling a recalibration of ties. Shaibani's November 17 trip to Beijing similarly underscored efforts to redefine relations with China.
The transitional administration has also expanded its diplomatic network.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September, Sharaa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a declaration establishing diplomatic relations.
Syria also announced its recognition of Kosovo on October 29th and the establishment of diplomatic relations with South Korea on April 10th.
Meanwhile, relations with Israel have deteriorated significantly.
Syrian officials say Israel has carried out more than 1,000 airstrikes and 400 incursions into Syrian territory since the fall of Assad. Beyond the Golan Heights, Israel has also occupied 800 square kilometers (308 square miles) over the past year.
US-led security talks between Damascus and Tel Aviv have so far yielded no results.
Israel is seeking a new security agreement, while Syria is demanding Israel withdraw to the lines before December 8, 2024, and the reinstatement of the 1974 Liberation Agreement – which Israeli leaders have said is invalid until “order is restored in Syria.”
Speaking at an international conference in Doha on Saturday, Sharaa said he had sent "positive messages to Israel regarding regional peace and stability" since taking office.
He added that Israel now stands apart from the broad international support that Syria has received for its post-conflict transition.
"There are negotiations with Israel and the US is involved... and all countries support our demand for its withdrawal to the borders before December 8," he said.
Last week, US President Donald Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he urged him not to "interfere with the evolution of Syria into a prosperous state."
"It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and real dialogue with Syria," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that he is "very pleased" with Syria's progress.
