It is a unitary republic consisting of 14 governorates and is the only country that politically espouses Ba'athism.
Since March 2011, Syria has been embroiled in an armed conflict, with a number of countries in the region and beyond being involved militarily or otherwise.
Political instability poses a significant threat to future economic development.
[1] Foreign investment is constrained by violence, government restrictions, economic sanctions, and international isolation.
Syria's economy also remains hobbled by state bureaucracy, falling oil production, rising budget deficits, and inflation.