Syrians remain burdened by economic instability and security challenges following the ousting of Assad's government and the establishment of a new administration in December last year.
Saturday marks 14 years since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Even with a new government established in December, Syrians continue to grapple with deep economic challenges, including unemployment and soaring inflation.
Amid a worsening economic crisis and soaring unemployment, the new government has struggled to revive the economy, leaving vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly, in extreme poverty.
To mitigate the crisis, the government has introduced bank withdrawal limits, but the policy has only added to residents' woes. In a country with limited alternative payment options, people are forced to spend hours in line just to secure enough cash for their daily needs.
"I have not been paid for four months. Recently the government issued a decision to give us our payments, so I came here today. It is too difficult for a retiree to live four months without any income," said Adham Malek, a Syrian Retiree.
Many Syrians have resorted to purchasing large quantities of bread during Ramadan and reselling it on roadsides to earn a modest daily income, as job opportunities remain scarce.
"The economic situation in Syria is bad. Items are abundant, but there is no purchasing power and no money, so how can I buy things? If I want to shop then I need like one million. I do not have that amount of money, and that is why most people are turning into street vendors to sell whatever," said Zeina Hawa, a local resident.
Entering the first Ramadan since the fall of the Assad government, residents are facing strict measures from the new administration, which has ordered the closure of all restaurants and cafes during daylight hours. Violators risk up to three months in custody, leaving the catering industry in a state of stagnation.
After inheriting an economy ravaged by years of conflict and sanctions, the new government is struggling to identify a short-term strategy to revive the country's financial stability.
"Unfortunately, Syria now has no economic approach. It is not a socialist economy, or a social market economy, nor a capitalist economic system. So, the market approach of the Syrian economy is rather vague," said economist Ammar Yousef.
As Syrians remember the 14th anniversary of the war, nonfunctional economic management and unrest in many spots across the country have cast doubt on the country's future.
Economic woes persist in Syria as new government faces mounting challenges
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
