Syria Launches New Currency, Drops Two Zeros from Pound
Does Syria's new currency betray its heritage, or does it signal an inclusive transformation for all citizens?
Above: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) and Central Bank of Syria Governor Abdulkader Husrieh (R) at the Conference Palace, Damascus, on Dec. 29, 2025. Image credit: Bakr ALkasem/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
The new Syrian currency marks a transformative national phase that deepens trust and pride in Syria as a homeland for all citizens. This fresh design carries profound meaning about Syria's true nature and virtues, signaling a break from its authoritarian past toward a more inclusive future. Rather than erasing history, the launch represents genuine renewal.
Government-critical narrative
The design of Syria's new currency is a betrayal of the country's rich heritage, abandoning proud symbols of Syria's history, antiquity and military tradition in favor of generic flora and fauna. This change, timed just before the government goes cap in hand to the IMF, is indicative of a leadership that despises Syria and everything it stands for.
