Blog
We use the blog to share our opinions and quick thoughts on various topics and engagements.
Israel’s Long-Term Strategy for Regional Imbalance in Syria
In his comment to Mediapart, BenjaminFeve argued that Israel’s strategy in Syria goes beyond short-term security and reflects a broader effort to maintain regional imbalance.
Key Steps to Revive Syria’s Economy
At the Khasb Conference, I highlighted a few points: – Since the cost of policy interventions is generally higher in functioning and actively growing economies, Syria’s devastation opens a rare
Shaping Syria Discourse
We don’t just study Syria — we help shape the conversation around it. Our Media Contributions page features TV interviews, quotes, and panel discussions with our experts across major global and regional
Monetary Reform Narrows Currency Gap in Syria
Monetary policy moves in the right direction. Over the past few weeks, we’ve started to see: -Unification of the multiple official exchange rates into a single rate -Reduction of the
Symbolism, Accountability, and Rule of Law in Syria
In his comment to Arab News on a recent viral video depicting the public humiliation of a Druze men, Dr. Karam Shaar emphasized the importance of symbolism and accountability in rebuilding trust
It’s time to end the EU’s Assad-era sanctions on Syria
My latest: As the EU intensely debates the future of Assad-era sanctions this week, I argue in the Middle East Institution that these measures—originally designed to pressure Assad—no longer have a
Yassin al-Haj Saleh on the Conditions for a Different Syria
This is the foundation for any just order in Syria. Without it, the new republic risks becoming a mirror of the old. Read the full article. Subscribe.
Syria Collapse Sparks Opportunity for Institutional Reform
Total collapse is not just a tragedy—but an opportunity, too. In his intervention at the Spring 2025 IMF–World Bank Meetings, Dr. Karam Shaar argued that Syria’s destruction offers a unique
Yassin al-Haj Saleh on the Legacy of Massacres and Sectarian Governance
Yassin al-Haj Saleh, Syrian writer, dissident, and former political prisoner, on the legacy of massacres and sectarian governance. Full essay. Subscribe.
Syria’s Interim Government: Explore Leadership Data Too
Who governs Syria today? We launched a new research tool that maps the full composition of the Syrian interim government. It lets you filter ministers by: gender, governorate of
Taxes in Syria, Episode One: The Big Picture
Syria’s tax system didn’t just weaken, it collapsed. Revenues from taxes and fees fell from $6.3B in 2010 to $0.6B in 2023. To fill the gap, Assad government printed money—shifting
What Do the Compositional Changes Between the Caretaker and Interim Governments Tell Us?
The composition of Syria’s interim goverment shows that nearly half of ministers lived abroad before appointment—many with degrees from top Western universities and experience in diplomacy, think tanks & NGOs.