Syria, Turkey, and Jordan Vow to Revive the Historic Hijaz Railway

Turkey, Syria, and Jordan have announced an agreement to revive the Hijaz Railway, as part of their efforts to restore overland and railway connections and to facilitate trade movement between them. The Hijaz Railway, which once connected Damascus to Medina, has been practically defunct since the early 1920s. The project is widely regarded as a venture that could bring significant benefits to the three countries as well as Saudi Arabia, and create new transportation corridors in the region. Yet some critics argue that it faces numerous challenges, ranging from difficulties in financing and upgrading the network to questions over its economic feasibility compared with alternative projects, in addition to the geopolitical and security threats that could undermine its implementation.