As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, pressure on the White House also grows to demonstrate strength and deliver concrete results on the international stage. In contexts of war or prolonged instability, governments tend to seek political, military, or diplomatic victories that reinforce their domestic position and external credibility.

When examining the development of Syria’s oil industry, it is essential to consider geopolitical factors, particularly given the country’s strategic location between the vast oil fields of Iraq and the Gulf countries. This geographical positioning grants Syria a potentially central role in the construction of transnational pipelines capable of transporting hydrocarbons to the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea

The mismatch between the idea of an energy transition and outdated infrastructure, unequal investment, and strong dependence on fossil fuels constitute major barriers to achieving a sustainable global energy system in the short term. Below, we highlight some of the key limitations to sustainability.