As Syria navigates its transition, the upcoming constitutional process must move beyond broad, generic promises of equality and the rule of law. A new constitution must establish concrete checks and balances, a strong framework for the protection of rights, and inclusive governance structures that prevent any single faction from dominating the state apparatus and that are as representative of as many groups as possible.

This brief will proceed as follows. First, it sets out the current context in Syria, highlighting the political, demographic and institutional developments shaping the transition and constitutional process. Next, it examines the procedural arrangements for constitutional reform, outlining possible scenarios and considering the roles of civil society, political actors and external influences. Subsequent sections analyse the implications of recent security and governance changes, review the evolving legal framework and presidential prerogatives, and assess future risks and opportunities for inclusive state building.

In December 2025, International IDEA and the University of Edinburgh, as part of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PeaceREP) organized the 12th Edinburgh Dialogue on Constitution-Building in Fragile Settings on ‘the changing nature of mediation when negotiating political settlements in fragile settings’, bringing together key actors from the fields of peace mediation and constitution building support.

Following the 2025 Edinburgh Dialogue, a series of policy briefs were developed focusing on the evolution and current challenges of the statebuilding project within the context of fragmented conflicts and increasingly transactional approaches to peace mediation and peace building. Teresa Whitfield's piece provides an overview of potential future scenarios in complex settings where state institutions may be fragmented and territories contested or where executive power may be consolidating, but where both national and international actors are seeking ways to build responsive, transparent and accountable institutions and processes.

Other pieces explore specific examples including Myanmar, South Sudan and countries in the West Africa region, and develop suggestions for supporting more inclusive and sustainable political settlements.