On Tuesday 18 March 2025 Ross Burns, former ambassador to Syria and Lebanon (based in Damascus), introduced the Institute to his new book Understanding Syria through 40 monuments: a Story of Survival, offering his unique insights into Syria’s complex history through its monuments and archaeological heritage. He then turned to discussing the country’s current situation following the fall of Bashar-al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.

Burns spotlighted three Syrian monuments: the Temple of Bel in Palmyra, the Byzantine church at Qalb Lozeh west of Palmyra, and the grand early 19^th century Damascus house of a Jewish banker. These monuments offer a glimpse into the rich cultural past of Syria, with instances of architectural innovation and historical significance.

Burns explained that Palmyra served as a key hub along cross-desert trade routes connecting the Levant coast and Mesopotamia. These routes allowed the Romans to extend their influence into Syria.

Speaking of the architecture of the Temple of Bel, he highlighted the Ptolemaic influence seen in the temple’s door, a feature commonly found across Egypt. The door – reinforced with concrete by French archaeologists in the 19^th century – had survived the 2015 destruction of the monolithic limestone structures at Palmyra by Islamic State (ISIS). Shortly thereafter, Khaled al-Assad, Director of Antiquities in Palmyra, was beheaded by ISIS.

Burns acknowledged that monuments are often seen as symbols of a colonial mentality, but questioned the rationale behind blowing up monuments. Asked about Khaled al-Assad’s role, Burns highlighted his crucial contributions to the interpretation of Palmyra and praised his bravery in hiding items of archaeological significance from ISIS.

Burns said the important 6th-century church at Qalb Lozeh marked a new frontier in culture wars. The architectural style of the Qalb Lozeh church influenced the development of Gothic architecture, seen in landmarks like Notre Dame. Yet, Ross remarked, there is a broader trend of failing to credit Arab contributions in the development of European architecture.

In discussing the Jewish banker’s house in Damascus, Burns emphasised the significance of a Jewish residence in a predominantly Muslim city and how it reflects the complex social structures of the time. The house, belonging to Haim Farhi al-Mullem, a banker to a Turkish governor in Palestine, represents a unique merging of Hebrew and Arab architectural features and inscriptions. It was immortalised by the late Victorian British artist Frederick Leighton in his painting Gathering Lemons, further highlighting the cultural significance of the building.

The underlying sentiment of his presentation on Syria’s monuments was that the strength of architectural tradition lies in the exchange of ideas between cultures. Burns argued that this sharing should not be seen as “larceny” but rather celebrated.

In the second part of his address, Burns shifted the focus from Syria’s monuments to its current political tensions. He outlined the challenges facing the transitional government headed by Ahmed Hussein Al-Sharaa in the aftermath of the abrupt fall of former dictator Bashar-al-Assad. Likening Al-Sharaa’s role to that of Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 1994, Burns described his as a “superhuman” responsibility.

Burns highlighted three key challenges facing Al-Sharaa: security and stability, economic recovery, and governance. From a security standpoint, Al-Sharaa must rebuild national security, and neutralise separatist movements. The northeast, the Golan Heights and the south, and the Assad enclave in the coastal mountains present unique challenges: Al-Sharaa may be forced to deal with Turkish influence, an Israeli presence, and resistance from the Alawites. He also faces the task of revitalising the economy and hastening the removal of sanctions. The focus for his government lies on ensuring national unity, eliminating kleptocracy, and rebuilding institutions.

Discussing the West’s role in Syrian reconciliation, Burns emphasised that Syria has now liberated itself and must rebuild on its own, after years of foreign intervention failed to achieve real progress towards Syrian self-reliance. While Burns noted that part of Al-Sharaa’s strategy appears to involve reassuring Israel by looking to the United States to confirm that the threat level has not risen, the unpredictability of the Trump administration is a complicating factor.

Burns also commented on Russia’s role, noting the strategic context – essentially the demands of its Ukraine war – of its military withdrawal from Syria.

According to Burns, Al-Sharaa needs to win over his own followers to the new agenda and ensure he leads all communities within Syria towards a safe and secure future. When asked whether the treatment of women would serve as a test for how Al-Sharaa’s government might approach secularism, Burns noted the former rebel commander’s cautious stance, though he has stated that women will not face a restrictive dress code.

Ultimately, the crucial question is whether Al-Sharaa has moved beyond his radical Islamist background to meet the demands of his current role.

Report by Sameera Pillai, AIIA NSW intern

Ross Burns (right), AIIA NSW president,Ian Lincoln (left) and intern Sameera Pillai (centre)

His book, Understanding Syria through 40 monuments: a Story of Survival, is available through Bloomsbury Press:

https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/understanding-syria-through-40-monuments-9780755645299/