Syria’s focus on recovering wealth stolen under Assad is essential. But it must not come at the expense of tackling corruption during the transition, particularly given the risks surrounding new deals signed without transparency or adequate safeguards. 👇 en.majalla.com/node/332816/...

Syria is fighting yesterday’s corruption, not today’s

The transitional authorities have created genuine anti-corruption momentum. The challenge is to convert it into transparent procedures, independent oversight, and meaningful checks on executive power.

en.majalla.com

Syria’s focus on recovering wealth stolen under Assad is essential. But it must not come at the expense of tackling corruption during the transition, particularly given the risks surrounding new deals signed without transparency or adequate safeguards. 👇 en.majalla.com/node/332816/...

Syria is fighting yesterday’s corruption, not today’s

The transitional authorities have created genuine anti-corruption momentum. The challenge is to convert it into transparent procedures, independent oversight, and meaningful checks on executive power.

en.majalla.com

Syria, Israel and the US were in intensive contact for days to prevent escalation. Israel struck the Syrian airbase anyway. The problem was not lack of communication. It was the absence of effective constraints on Israeli military operations inside Syria. en.majalla.com/node/332691/...

The Syria-Israel talks are stuck in damage control

US-sponsored diplomacy is better equipped to contain the fallout from Israeli strikes than to deliver lasting security

en.majalla.com

سبقت الغارة على مطار أبو الظهور اتصالات سورية-إسرائيلية-أميركية مكثفة لمنع التصعيد، لكن إسرائيل هاجمت والاتصالات جارية. المشكلة ليست غياب التواصل، بل غياب القيود على عملياتها في سوريا. ولن تنجح محادثات عمّان ما دامت إسرائيل تفضّل القوة على التفاوض. www.majalla.com/node/332721

محادثات سوريا وإسرائيل عالقة في إدارة الأضرار

كان الاجتماع السوري-الإسرائيلي الرفيع المستوى الذي عقد الأحد في عمّان بوساطة أميركية محاولة عاجلة لاحتواء الأضرار. وقد جاء بعد أيام من الهجوم الإسرائيلي على قاعدة أبو الظهور الجوية، بهدف وقف أي عمليات...

majalla.com

Syria, Israel and the US were in intensive contact for days to prevent escalation. Israel struck the Syrian airbase anyway. The problem was not lack of communication. It was the absence of effective constraints on Israeli military operations inside Syria. en.majalla.com/node/332691/...

The Syria-Israel talks are stuck in damage control

US-sponsored diplomacy is better equipped to contain the fallout from Israeli strikes than to deliver lasting security

en.majalla.com

Israel’s strike on Abu al-Duhur airbase exposed the limits of US-mediated talks. A breakthrough will therefore depend less on a new round of negotiations than on whether Israel’s election produces a government willing to sign a binding security agreement with Syria. en.majalla.com/node/332691/...

The Syria-Israel talks are stuck in damage control

US-sponsored diplomacy is better equipped to contain the fallout from Israeli strikes than to deliver lasting security

en.majalla.com

Human rights organisations have reported nearly two dozen alleged deaths following torture in facilities run by the transitional authorities since December 2024

Haid Haid@haidhaid22.bsky.social · 3w ago

After Mohammed Ghumaira died following a beating in custody, Syria moved quickly to investigate. Accountability matters, but the real test is whether Damascus will accept outside help to reform its security institutions and prevent further torture and deaths. en.majalla.com/node/332578/...

In Al-Majallah, Haid Haid writes about the recurring abuses and killings of detainees in Syria and recommends that the government accept international assistance with security sector reform. @haidhaid22.bsky.social @almajalah.bsky.social en.majalla.com/node/332578/...

After Mohammed Ghumaira died following a beating in custody, Syria moved quickly to investigate. Accountability matters, but the real test is whether Damascus will accept outside help to reform its security institutions and prevent further torture and deaths. en.majalla.com/node/332578/...

A death in custody exposes gaps in Syria’s security reform

Human rights organisations have reported nearly two dozen alleged deaths following torture in facilities run by the transitional authorities since December 2024

en.majalla.com

يمتلك البرلمان السوري الجديد إطاراً إجرائياً أكثر جدية مما كان عليه في السابق. لكنه يركز قدراً كبيراً من الصلاحيات في يد رئيس المجلس، بما يهدد استقلالية السلطة التشريعية ويمنحه سيطرة واسعة على كيفية ممارسة الأعضاء واللجان لصلاحياتهم. المزيد في مقالي الأخير www.majalla.com/node/332491/...

عن "استقلال" البرلمان السوري

خطا مجلس الشعب السوري الجديد خطوة مهمة أخرى على طريق التحول إلى سلطة تشريعية فاعلة. فبعد خمسة أيام من المناقشات الداخلية، أقر المجلس مؤخرا لائحته الداخلية المؤلفة من 231 مادة.وتتضمن اللائحة كثيرا مما ...

majalla.com

Syria's parliament has been seated and now, it's finalized its internal bylaws. What do the bylaws tell us about the role of the speaker, the authority of MPs, and the relationship between parliament and the state? More from @haidhaid22.bsky.social in Al-Majalla en.majalla.com/node/332464/...

Syria’s parliament can only be as strong as its leadership allows

The new bylaws are a good step forward, but can be exploited if parliamentary leadership uses its extensive powers to limit scrutiny of the executive branch

en.majalla.com

There is much to welcome in the new parliament’s bylaws. But they also concentrate too much authority in the speaker, risking the legislature’s independence by giving him excessive control over how MPs & committees exercise their powers. More in my latest 👇 en.majalla.com/node/332464/...

Syria’s parliament can only be as strong as its leadership allows

The new bylaws are a good step forward, but can be exploited if parliamentary leadership uses its extensive powers to limit scrutiny of the executive branch

en.majalla.com

My latest sheds light on the ongoing debate over when organised political life should be allowed to develop, and argues that political parties are not rewards granted after stability is achieved. They are institutions through which stability is built. en.majalla.com/node/332425/...

Syria cannot build lasting stability in a political vacuum

Stability cannot depend on suppressing every institution capable of organising dissent

en.majalla.com

تهدد المظالم المتراكمة في أقصى شمال شرق سوريا بتمزيق المنطقة وإشعال صراع قد يمتد إلى أبعد منها بكثير. لا تزال الحكومة قادرة على احتواء الاحتجاجات في الحسكة، لكن عليها التحرك بسرعة. التفاصيل في مقالي الأخير 👇 www.majalla.com/node/332259/...

احتجاجات الحسكة... إنذار لا يجوز تجاهله

كشف الاعتداء على موكب محافظ الحسكة في رأس العين، في 22 يوليو/تموز، عن أزمة تتجاوز اضطرابا محليا عابرا. فقد اعترض محتجون الموكب ورشقوا مركباته بالحجارة لدى وصول المحافظ للمشاركة في إعادة افتتاح محطة مي...

majalla.com

Grievances in Syria’s far north-east threaten to tear the region apart and ignite a conflict with consequences far beyond it. The central government can still contain the crisis—but only if it acts fast. More in my latest 👇 en.majalla.com/node/332231/...

Unrest in Hasakah is a warning that Damascus cannot ignore

Grievances in Syria's far north-east threaten to tear the region apart and ignite a fire that could spread much further. The central government can still get on top of this, but it must act fast

en.majalla.com

My latest examines the seized #Hezbollah-bound #weapons shipment from #Iraq to highlight the structural challenges facing Damascus and what is needed to stop #Syria from remaining a corridor for the group’s survival. en.majalla.com/node/332122/...

Syria cannot stop Hezbollah’s smuggling networks alone

Damascus is having some success stopping weapons shipments from Iraq, but for reasons of geography, technology, history, money, and training, the authorities face an uphill battle

en.majalla.com

Can Syria’s Parliament Outgrow the Flawed Process That Made It? My latest for @arabreforminit.bsky.social www.arab-reform.net/publication/...

Can Syria’s Parliament Outgrow the Flawed Process That Made It?

After months of anticipation, Syria’s transitional parliament has finally convened. Its first session, held on 12 July, came after President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the names of 70 lawmakers appo…

arab-reform.net

Can Syria’s Parliament Outgrow the Flawed Process That Made It? My latest for @arabreforminit.bsky.social www.arab-reform.net/publication/...

Can Syria’s Parliament Outgrow the Flawed Process That Made It?

After months of anticipation, Syria’s transitional parliament has finally convened. Its first session, held on 12 July, came after President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the names of 70 lawmakers appo…

arab-reform.net

Worth reading: @haidhaid22.bsky.social for @arabreforminit.bsky.social on Syrian authorities' top-down, investment-driven approach to large-scale reconstruction/redevelopment, and resulting popular resistance: www.arab-reform.net/publication/...

Rebuilding Without Buy-In: The Risks of Syria’s Top-Down Reconstruction

To read the full report, please click <a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07172650/ENGLISH-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In.pdf">here</a>

arab-reform.net

إن اتخاذ الحكومة خطوات جادة ضد التحريض على العنف الطائفي وتشجيع عدالة الغاب أمر مهم، لكن غياب الشفافية والانتقائية في تطبيق هذه الإجراءات قد يأتيان بنتائج عكسية، ويجعلان المساءلة تبدو كعقاب انتقائي. التفاصيل في مقالي الاخير👇 www.majalla.com/node/332040

سوريا... لكي لا تكون العدالة خارج القانون

كشف اعتقال الناشط الإعلامي بكار حميدي في 12 يوليو/تموز، وما تلاه من احتجاجات، عن واحدة من أكثر المعضلات حساسية في المرحلة الانتقالية السورية: كيف يمكن للدولة مواجهة التحريض الطائفي والعنف خارج القانون...

majalla.com

إن اتخاذ الحكومة خطوات جادة ضد التحريض على العنف الطائفي وتشجيع عدالة الغاب أمر مهم، لكن غياب الشفافية والانتقائية في تطبيق هذه الإجراءات قد يأتيان بنتائج عكسية، ويجعلان المساءلة تبدو كعقاب انتقائي. التفاصيل في مقالي الاخير👇 www.majalla.com/node/332040

سوريا... لكي لا تكون العدالة خارج القانون

كشف اعتقال الناشط الإعلامي بكار حميدي في 12 يوليو/تموز، وما تلاه من احتجاجات، عن واحدة من أكثر المعضلات حساسية في المرحلة الانتقالية السورية: كيف يمكن للدولة مواجهة التحريض الطائفي والعنف خارج القانون...

majalla.com

يسلط بحثي الضوء على إعادة الإعمار في سوريا، موضحاً أن المقاومة المجتمعية للنهج الحالي، المركزي وغير التشاركي، تعكس خشية من إعادة إنتاج أنماط الإقصاء وانتزاع الحقوق التي طبعت حقبة الأسد. ويحذر من أن استمرار هذا النهج قد يحوّل مشاريع التعافي إلى بؤر توترتهدد الاستقرار www.arab-reform.net/ar/publicati...

إعادة الإعمار من دون مشاركة المجتمع: مخاطر نهج إعادة الإعمار "من الأعلى إلى الأسفل" في سوريا

<span>لقراءة الورقة كاملة، يرجى النقر </span><a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07185740/ARABIC-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In-1.pdf">هنا</a>

arab-reform.net

My latest argues that arresting an influencer for inciting sectarian violence and street justice was the right move. But without transparency or consistency, it risks backfiring, making accountability look like selective punishment. en.majalla.com/node/332029/...

Syria cannot counter incitement with opaque and selective arrests

The detention of a social media activist committed to exposing the crimes of the Assad era shows how Damascus must demonstrate that accountability beats vigilante justice

en.majalla.com

1/6 My @arabreforminit.bsky.social report on Syria’s reconstruction examines how decisions are made & how they are perceived by targeted communities. It shows that when projects are announced before grievances addressed, recovery can quickly become a flashpoint. www.arab-reform.net/publication/...

Rebuilding Without Buy-In: The Risks of Syria’s Top-Down Reconstruction

To read the full report, please click <a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07172650/ENGLISH-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In.pdf">here</a>

arab-reform.net

🧵🇸🇾

Haid Haid@haidhaid22.bsky.social · 2mo ago

1/6 My @arabreforminit.bsky.social report on Syria’s reconstruction examines how decisions are made & how they are perceived by targeted communities. It shows that when projects are announced before grievances addressed, recovery can quickly become a flashpoint. www.arab-reform.net/publication/...

1/6 My @arabreforminit.bsky.social report on Syria’s reconstruction examines how decisions are made & how they are perceived by targeted communities. It shows that when projects are announced before grievances addressed, recovery can quickly become a flashpoint. www.arab-reform.net/publication/...

Rebuilding Without Buy-In: The Risks of Syria’s Top-Down Reconstruction

To read the full report, please click <a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07172650/ENGLISH-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In.pdf">here</a>

arab-reform.net

Now that the full list of #Syria’s new #parliament members has been announced, the key question is what the legislature must do to establish its #legitimacy despite the imperfect process that brought it into being. Details in my latest. en.majalla.com/node/331925/...

Syria’s parliament must now earn its legitimacy

Another 70 lawmakers have been picked by the president, creating a chamber of just over 200. Are these MPs pliable and subservient, or do they have teeth? That is now an important question for Syria

en.majalla.com

#Damascus’s diplomatic wins continue, with Trump rescinding Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The bigger #challenge now is domestic: removing barriers to #investment so these gains translate into real economic benefits. www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

Trump rescinds Syria state sponsor of terrorism designation

U.S. President Donald ​Trump has notified ‌Congress of his decision ​to ​rescind Syria’s designation as ⁠a ​State Sponsor of ​Terrorism, a senior U.S. administration ​official said ​on Wednesday.

reuters.com

Now that the full list of #Syria’s new #parliament members has been announced, the key question is what the legislature must do to establish its #legitimacy despite the imperfect process that brought it into being. Details in my latest. en.majalla.com/node/331925/...

Syria’s parliament must now earn its legitimacy

Another 70 lawmakers have been picked by the president, creating a chamber of just over 200. Are these MPs pliable and subservient, or do they have teeth? That is now an important question for Syria

en.majalla.com

My latest looks at the recent strikes by #private-sector #workers in #Syria and argues that demands for better wages and safer conditions are not a threat to recovery. They are a reminder that #recovery must include the people whose labour is meant to sustain it. en.majalla.com/node/331707/...

Syria’s private-sector workers are finding their voice

Recent strikes show how workers are beginning to use Syria's expanded civic space to make economic and social demands. The government should see this as a warning, but also an opportunity.

en.majalla.com