Post-conflict reconstruction can be a difficult process in the face of various political, financial and security challenges. While each situation has its own idiosyncracies, successes and failures from past reconstruction efforts can be mined for important lessons.

Based on an analysis of reconstruction efforts around the world, this paper by Manon-Nour Tannous lays out important recommendations for eventual post-conflict reconstruction in Syria. Successful reconstruction will help consolidate the new regime and thus increase the chances of achieving stability in the future. Based on a review of the types of bodies that have been established to oversee reconstruction in Palestine, Bosnia, Indonesia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, West Timor, Haiti, Iraq and Rwanda, the paper focuses on three important questions:

• How should the bodies for overseeing reconstruction be structured?
• How should the program be defined and projects chosen?
• What should be the role of donor countries in the decision-making process?

The paper concludes with key recommendations for the creation of oversight bodies, the designation of roles and responsibilities, the design of a reconstruction program, the management of funds and the need for appropriate controls for setting priorities and spending money.