Syria in Transition was founded in June 2023 by Malik al-Abdeh and Lars Hauch. At a time when Syria was considered a policy backwater and related reporting and analysis was lacking, the need was clear for a well-informed and incisive publication for specialists and practioners.

Syria in Transition began as a simple PDF circulated among a small network of Syria experts and diplomats. In September 2023 the first, English-language, website was launched. In November 2025, coinciding with Issue 29, the present fully bilingual (Arabic-English) website was unveiled, also featuring a dedicated Opinion section offering a free space for Syrian writers and commentators, imagery sourced exclusively from Syrian photographers, and expanded coverage of issues relevant to Syrian and international readers.

In a post-Assad era, the magazine’s name has special relevance. But at its core, Syria in Transition remains what it has always been: a sincere effort to cut through the noise and provide critical and clear insight and understanding into Syria's evolving reality.