“Imagine if the gospel had a real impact in Syria (and surrounding nations)....”
It already has, tc. Antioch is where the followers of Christ were first called Christians. +Peter was its first bishop. Even after the Mohammedan conquest, Christianity has continued to be a major force within Greater Syria. The only real oppression of The Church there took place under the later Ottomans. Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy are growing in Syria. Monasteries are reopening and expanding. Some have become pilgrimage sites even for Mohammedans.
Syria's population is approximately 88% Muslim and was 12% Christian, though due to the high stream of refugees from Iraq the percentage of Christians has risen to 20% (Wikipedia)Clearly the impact of the gospel in Syria has been reduced significantly over the centuries. But that can change, and we should pray that it does. Pray that the 80/20 number gets reversed!!