The year 2025 marks the most consequential moment in Syria’s political trajectory in more than five decades. The fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 created an opening unprecedented since the Ba’ath Party consolidated power in the 1970s. For the first time in generations, Syrians face the possibility, however fragile, of shaping a political future rooted in accountability, pluralism, and public participation.

Yet this transition is unfolding amid deep uncertainty: the transitional government’s legitimacy remains untested, violence persists in regions with large minority populations, and citizens’ expectations for safety and equal protection have yet to be met. Navigating this moment demands credible voices, resilient institutions, and civic actors capable of both responding to immediate needs and shaping the long-term architecture of democratic governance.

NED is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge. Since 2005, NED has supported independent media, civil society networks, local governance efforts, and rights-focused organizations, well before the 2011 revolution and the years of conflict that dismantled formal opposition structures. These longstanding partnerships have created a foundation of trust, professionalism, and mission-driven leadership that cannot be built overnight.

As many donors withdrew over the past decade or concentrated support narrowly in opposition-held and autonomous regions, NED remained committed to cultivating a diverse ecosystem of civic actors across regions, including inside Damascus and difficult-to-access enclaves. Today, those relationships are proving indispensable. NED’s partners have the credibility, networks, and technical readiness to contribute meaningfully to the transition and articulate citizens’ priorities.

In 2025, NED’s Syria strategy focused on leveraging this deep groundwork to help civic actors maximize their impact at a moment when the political trajectory is still undecided. Priority investments support independent media outlets that offer rare, trusted reporting; emerging civic groups advocating for democratic norms and the rule of law; and organizations that are shaping public debate around constitutional questions, citizen protection, and transitional governance. This includes support to our Core Institutes, which will support activists and groups in introducing political organizing, fostering a shared national vision for Syria’s post-Assad future, and expanding citizen participation in informing and shaping transitional processes. NED’s combination of national-level programming and region-specific initiatives ensures partners can respond flexibly to fast-moving developments while maintaining a consistent democratic vision. As Syria enters a new chapter, NED’s enduring support, and the resilience and integrity of its partners, stands as a critical asset for strengthening Syria’s prospects for a more inclusive, accountable, and democratic future.

Across Iran and its global diaspora, new media formats have become the primary arena for independent information and democratic debate, as traditional media remain tightly restricted. With modest NED support, an Iranian journalist launched an online political talk show that draws significant viewership inside the country and became one of the most-watched political programs outside the country. Live online broadcasts routinely drew tens of thousands of viewers—often surpassing major Farsi outlets—while clips on Instagram and YouTube reached more than a million views.

By creating a space where ideas are debated and public concerns are aired, the platform helps Iranians, wherever they are, access information they trust and engage with issues that shape their lives. In an environment where seeking truth carries real risk, this digital forum has become a crucial outlet for Iranians who want accountability, connection, and a voice in their country’s future.

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