Issue 11 – April 2024
Welcome to Syria in Transition (SiT), a monthly delve into policy-relevant developments concerning the Syrian conflict. Crafted by practitioners with a decade-long experience in the field, SiT offers informed perspectives tailored for diplomats and decision makers. SiT goes straight to the point and shuns unnecessary verbiage – just as we would prefer as avid readers ourselves.
SiT thrives on continuous exchange with professionals. We kindly invite you to reach out with criticism, ideas, information, or just to say hello.
Covered in the current issue
Staying the Course
What to expect from Brussels VIII
On 30 April and 27 May 2024 the European Union (EU) will host the eighth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region.” Close to 800 representatives of the UN, EU, EU Member States, regional governments, INGOs, and Syrian civil society organisations will participate. Syria in Transition unpacks what is in store. | continue reading
Colliding with Congress
UN Country Team vs. Anti-Normalisation Act
US lawmakers’ frustration with the UN’s operations in Syria is profound. Almost 20 percent of the 3,000-word Assad Regime Anti-Normalisation Act that passed the US House of Representatives in February is about the UN. The UN’s perceived inaction in addressing the decade-long systematic aid diversion and manipulation by Damascus has placed it squarely in the crosshairs of the powerful cross-party group in Congress that sponsored the Act, slated to pass the Senate later this year. | continue reading
Upgrading aid and EU engagement in Syria
Exploring the Aid Fund for Northern Syria
The Clingendael Institute and CMS produced a policy brief that addresses an audience of international humanitarian and Syria-oriented decision-makers by exploring the design and operations of the Aid Fund for Northern Syria (AFNS), a multi-donor pooled fund established by the UK’s FCDO in December 2022. AFNS design and operations have features that can help resolve long standing problems with the delivery of humanitarian aid in Syria, make it more (cost) effective and enable continued EU humanitarian involvement despite shrinking aid budgets. As a bonus, the AFNS’ greater focus on early recovery can contribute to creating a ‘safe, calm and neutral environment’ (SCNE.) | continue reading
Breaking Bones but not taboos
How Syrian TV dramas help Assad deflect blame
With the holy month of Ramadan comes a bonanza of Arab TV dramas. For Syrians, the show that easily outperformed all others this year was season two of kaser adem: al-saradeeb (“Breaking Bones: the Dungeons.”) Set in present day regime-held Syria, Breaking Bones is about a powerful and violent ring of corrupt mukhabarat officials desperately attempting to retrieve a hard drive containing incriminating evidence of their corruption, and the trail of human victims they leave behind in the process. By exporting these shows to other Arab countries and beyond, the regime presents an image of cultural vitality and creativity, challenging perceptions of Syria as a nation in crisis.| continue reading