Syria at a Crossroads: Fragmentation, Federalism, and the Future of a Divided Nation

Syria, long plagued by civil war, foreign interventions, and deep sectarian divides, is entering a new and uncertain chapter. Recent statements by key actors in the country underscore the growing fragmentation of authority and the crystallization of competing visions for Syria’s future. From the Druze-led resistance in Suwayda to the Kurdish push for federalism in Read more

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The Interconnectedness of Events in Syria, Turkey, and SWANA

What happens in SWANA will not Stay in SWANA by Ahmed Souaiaia Abstract: The ongoing crises in Syria and Turkey are deeply intertwined with broader regional dynamics, including the ongoing instability in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. This article analyzes these events through the lens of the Systems Thinking Framework (STF), which Read more

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Syrian Crisis: The Risks of Fragmentation and the Lessons of History

The crisis in Syria has evolved into a multifaceted conflict with significant implications for the country’s territorial integrity. The ongoing violence, driven by internal power struggles and exacerbated by external interventions, raises concerns about the potential fragmentation of Syria along sectarian and ethnic fault lines. Unless regional players adopt a more strategic and long-term vision, Read more

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The future of Syria in the light of similar events in SWANA

by Ahmed Souaiaia Since the start of the protest movement popularly known as the Arab Spring in 2011, all countries in Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) have been impacted and the level of change in each of these countries depended on domestic, regional and global factors. However, there is one variable that established itself Read more

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“Türkiye for the New Century”, Türkiye’s politics and parties

by Ali M. Shukr Recently published by the Institute for Future Studies in Beirut, the book “Turkey in the New Century: The Political System, Parties, and Pressure Groups,” was presented by Professor Emrullah Ashler, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. The book was divided into an introduction and 5 chapters. In each chapter, a Read more

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The rise of the Welfare Party: This is what the schizophrenia did to Erdogan

by Abdel Moneim Ali Issa In a meeting held last Wednesday with leaders of the Justice and Development Party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan summarized the reasons that led to the party’s defeat in last week’s municipal elections, saying that what happened “was not only a loss of votes, but also a loss of blood.” Read more

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Turkish elections: Can Erdogan maintain his grip on power?

by Mohamad Hasan Sweidan * As the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic approaches, Turkiye faces one of the most important elections in its history. Most importantly, the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, currently slated for May, could lead to major shifts in the country’s foreign policy. But the February earthquakes that devastated Read more

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