Syria emerged as a sovereign state in July 1944, but real sovereignty only arrived 2 years later when the French finally withdrew, leaving behind a state still tethered to its colonial past and unprepared for self-rule. For decades, Syria remained an object of great power competition, with states like the USA, Russia, Iran, KSA, Israel, and Türkiye using Damascus to pursue their own national interests. The competition exacerbated after 2011 when Syria was engulfed in a civil war. However, Syria’s approaches like its foreign policy choices, survival diplomacy, and ability to tackle internal challenges helped it navigate the great power competition and mitigate its effects. At the same time, Damascus faced challenges that hindered its capabilities. After the fall of Assad in December 2024, while a sense of optimism prevailed for some time, it soon vanished as Syria again plunged into internal conflicts. Just like most part of its history, Syria is likely to remain an important object and subject of great power competition for the foreseeable future.