Introduction:
Scientific and technological advancements have become a fundamental strategic tool for enhancing international presence and national security, not merely an engine for economic development. Inventions with a national identity—those that stem from the local context and address its needs—serve as a lever for political influence, carrying cultural and intellectual messages capable of shifting the balance of power.
In Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, recent scientific achievements reflecting this trend have emerged.
These include Dr. Ibrahim Mahmoud Al-Gharibi’s winning a silver medal at the 16th International Invention Exhibition in the Middle East (February 2026) for his invention, “Nano-Dress for Diabetic Foot and Pressure Ulcers,” and the development of a smart robot at Damascus International Airport to provide hospitality during Ramadan 1447 AH.
These achievements, despite their relative limitations, represent promising beginnings in a transitional context that seeks to rebuild the economy and society through local innovation.
The Strategic Dimension of Scientific Competition:
Scientific competition is one of the most prominent dimensions of contemporary strategic competition, closely linked to soft power and national security. A report by the RAND Corporation (updated in 2025) indicates that scientific progress forms the basis of strategic leverage, as leadership in research and development translates into international influence through shaping global rules and forging alliances.
For example, in the US-China competition, US spending on research and development (R&D) reached $806 billion in 2021, compared to $668 billion for China (according to OECD data and NSF reports 2024), giving Washington an advantage in crucial areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
This competition extends beyond the economic sphere to the security arena, as seen in the space race between the US, China, and Russia, where technological advancements are used to control strategic resources such as energy and rare earth minerals.
Furthermore, European reports (such as those issued by the DGAP in 2026) warn that reducing research funding leads to a loss of international influence and increased dependence on data and strategic expertise.
In the Syrian context, winning the silver medal at an exhibition featuring 213 inventors from 30 countries represents a step toward strengthening international presence. Developing local technologies—such as the smart robot at the airport—also contributes to reducing dependence on foreign sources, thus bolstering national sovereignty in the face of regional and security challenges.
Inventions with National Identity as a Tool of Political Influence:
National inventions are an effective tool for political influence, carrying cultural and intellectual messages that can shift the balance of power.
A report from Harvard Kennedy School (2024) asserts that technological superiority is redefining great power, citing China’s use of its technologies in the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance its economic and political influence.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China used its vaccines as a diplomatic tool, strengthening its presence in more than 100 countries (Brookings Institution, 2024). In the United States, government-funded inventions such as Google Essentials (NSF 1998) and Siri (DARPA 2011) have contributed to controlling the global flow of information, while a study in the journal Business and Politics (2024) demonstrated a correlation between political affiliation and innovation in the knowledge economy.
For Syria, the “nano-bandage” represents a national innovation addressing local healthcare needs, opening the door to increased influence in the Arab region through healthcare.
With the easing of sanctions (the extension of the Caesar sanctions suspension until the end of 2025) and positive economic growth projections (the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria anticipates higher growth than the World Bank’s estimates), such technologies can be exported as a tool for health diplomacy. The AI-SYRIA 2025 conference (May 2025) and the SYNC ’25 conference (February 2025)—aimed at creating 25,000 tech jobs—reflect efforts to transform local innovation into a tool for regional and global integration.
Scientific and technological progress is the foundation of economic and social development:
Scientific progress forms the basis for economic and social growth, as it increases productivity and improves quality of life.
The IMF report (updated 2025) confirms that science and technology boost global growth, with statistics indicating that a 10% increase in broadband penetration adds 1.3% to the GDP of developed countries.
The NBER study (2022) estimates the return on investment in R&D at $5-10 for every dollar invested, supporting social development through improved health and education.
Globally, innovation contributes to approximately 85% of productivity growth (Royal Society, 2024).
In Syria, technological advancements have contributed to reconstruction efforts after 2024, particularly with the return of more than one million refugees and internally displaced persons (UNHCR 2025), and improvements in basic services.
The World Bank also projected modest growth of 1% in 2025 (following a 1.5% contraction in 2024), with reconstruction costs estimated at $216 billion (October 2025 report), focusing on infrastructure and housing.
Conferences like SYNC ’25 also promote social development by creating technical job opportunities.
Conclusion:
Scientific progress in Syria represents a genuine opportunity to transition from conflict to prosperity, while simultaneously enhancing political influence and global presence.
However, this requires substantial investments in research and development, increased international cooperation, and a concerted effort to leverage the lifting of sanctions to transform national inventions into tools for sustainable development.
In this context, we at the Syrian Future Movement believe that recent achievements hold both symbolic and strategic significance, as they herald the possibility of building a new Syria based on knowledge and innovation.
