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Syrian-British businessman Ayman Asfari is the chairman of the civil society group Madaniya. He was mooted as a possible Prime Minister in a post-Assad Syria – a technocratic, non-aligned figure but one whom a lot of Syrians know. He spoke to Newshour back in January, and talked with enthusiasm and optimism about the prospects for Syria in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Assad. Newshour's Tim Franks asked him how he's feeling now?

(Photo: Syrian-British businessman and founder of the independent civil society intiative Madaniya, Ayman Asfari, addresses a group of activists brainstorming strategies to ensure their country does not return to authoritarianism, during a meeting in the courtyard of a traditional house in Old Damascus on 6 January 2025. Since Islamist-led rebels ousted the long-time ruler Bashar Al Assad, the Syrian capital's public spaces have been abuzz with previously banned civil society meetings. Exiled activists have returned to the country for the first time in years, often leading to moving reunions with friends who stayed behind throughout the civil war. Credit: Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images)