Haid Haid
@haidhaid22.bsky.social
Senior Fellow: Arab Reform Intiative, Chatham House, and ME Council on Global Affairs. | PhD from @warstudies | a Syrian who writes about Syria among other things. RT ≠ endorsements.
I review the first trial over the coastal violence, including security personnel, to highlight its significance and the government’s calculated approach to justice. The question now is whether it ushers in real accountability or becomes another symbolic gesture. en.majalla.com/node/328396/...
First public trial after Assad tests justice in the new Syria
Fourteen men stand accused of sectarian killings in the coastal region last March. The credibility of the trial will depend on how the proceedings hold up under public scrutiny.
en.majalla.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
I review the first trial over the coastal violence, including security personnel, to highlight its significance and the government’s calculated approach to justice. The question now is whether it ushers in real accountability or becomes another symbolic gesture. en.majalla.com/node/328396/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
In my latest, I highlight the need for the optimism sparked by the $28bn in #investment pledges in #Syria to stay cautious and anchored in realism and #transparency. Ambition is essential to recovery, but so is managing #expectations about the road ahead. en.majalla.com/node/328351/...
Syria's obstacles to investment are many
Ambition is key to recovery, but so is realism about the road ahead. Lingering sanctions, legal ambiguity, poor transparency, and weak institutions continue to deter serious investment.
en.majalla.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
In my latest, I highlight the need for the optimism sparked by the $28bn in #investment pledges in #Syria to stay cautious and anchored in realism and #transparency. Ambition is essential to recovery, but so is managing #expectations about the road ahead. en.majalla.com/node/328351/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
@haidhaid22.bsky.social for Al-Majalla on how the Syrian government's over-optimistic narratives about investment and recovery are a missed opportunity to build trust with a Syrian public whose circumstances remain austere and difficult: en.majalla.com/node/328351/...
Syria's obstacles to investment are many
Ambition is key to recovery, but so is realism about the road ahead. Lingering sanctions, legal ambiguity, poor transparency, and weak institutions continue to deter serious investment.
en.majalla.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
@haidhaid22.bsky.social for Al-Majalla on how the Syrian government's over-optimistic narratives about investment and recovery are a missed opportunity to build trust with a Syrian public whose circumstances remain austere and difficult: en.majalla.com/node/328351/...
In my latest, I highlight the need for the optimism sparked by the $28bn in #investment pledges in #Syria to stay cautious and anchored in realism and #transparency. Ambition is essential to recovery, but so is managing #expectations about the road ahead. en.majalla.com/node/328351/...
Syria's obstacles to investment are many
Ambition is key to recovery, but so is realism about the road ahead. Lingering sanctions, legal ambiguity, poor transparency, and weak institutions continue to deter serious investment.
en.majalla.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
In my latest, I highlight the need for the optimism sparked by the $28bn in #investment pledges in #Syria to stay cautious and anchored in realism and #transparency. Ambition is essential to recovery, but so is managing #expectations about the road ahead. en.majalla.com/node/328351/...
The rescue of civilians from Sweida in a special operation in Daraa signals a positive shift in the government's role. It's moving away from acting as a hostage negotiator to enforcing the rule of law & making clear that civilians can't be used as bargaining chips www.zamanalwsl.net/news/article...
تحرير خمسة مختطفين من السويداء والقبض على متزعم عصابة في ريف درعا
أعلن قائد الأمن الداخلي في محافظة السويداء، العميد حسام الطحان، تحرير خمسة مواطنين من أبناء المحافظة، بينهم ثلاث نساء ورجلان، إثر عملية نوعية
www.zamanalwsl.net
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 AM
The rescue of civilians from Sweida in a special operation in Daraa signals a positive shift in the government's role. It's moving away from acting as a hostage negotiator to enforcing the rule of law & making clear that civilians can't be used as bargaining chips www.zamanalwsl.net/news/article...
Reposted by Haid Haid
The political vision Minister Shaibani outlined at Chatham House has a major gap: it offers no clarity on when political parties will be legalised. Continued delays risk reinforcing perceptions that the process is being slowed to give Sharaa a political advantage. en.majalla.com/node/328272/...
Syria cannot afford to postpone pluralism
The country's new leaders say people will eventually be able to form political parties when the transition period is over, but observers are starting to feel sceptical
en.majalla.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The political vision Minister Shaibani outlined at Chatham House has a major gap: it offers no clarity on when political parties will be legalised. Continued delays risk reinforcing perceptions that the process is being slowed to give Sharaa a political advantage. en.majalla.com/node/328272/...
الرؤية السياسية التي عرضها الوزير الشيباني في تشاتام هاوس تبدو واعدة لكنها تحمل فجوة أساسية، إذ لا توضح متى سيجري ترخيص الأحزاب السياسية. استمرار هذا التأجيل يعزز الانطباع بأن الهدف هو منح الشرع أفضلية في الانتخابات المقبلة، مما يضعف شرعية المرحلة الانتقالية. www.majalla.com/node/328309/...
الوعد المؤجل... المرحلة الانتقالية في سوريا وقانون الأحزاب الغائب
لا يمكن أن يكون هناك انتقال ذو مصداقية دون تمثيل حقيقي لكافة أطياف المجتمع، ولا شرعية دون مشاركة سياسية فاعلة
www.majalla.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM
الرؤية السياسية التي عرضها الوزير الشيباني في تشاتام هاوس تبدو واعدة لكنها تحمل فجوة أساسية، إذ لا توضح متى سيجري ترخيص الأحزاب السياسية. استمرار هذا التأجيل يعزز الانطباع بأن الهدف هو منح الشرع أفضلية في الانتخابات المقبلة، مما يضعف شرعية المرحلة الانتقالية. www.majalla.com/node/328309/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
Via Constitutional Declaration "the right to political participation and the freedom to form political parties" are "conditional on... a new political party law" which has yet to be issued...
"the absence of a framework for party formation renders genuine political organisation all but impossible"
"the absence of a framework for party formation renders genuine political organisation all but impossible"
The political vision Minister Shaibani outlined at Chatham House has a major gap: it offers no clarity on when political parties will be legalised. Continued delays risk reinforcing perceptions that the process is being slowed to give Sharaa a political advantage. en.majalla.com/node/328272/...
Syria cannot afford to postpone pluralism
The country's new leaders say people will eventually be able to form political parties when the transition period is over, but observers are starting to feel sceptical
en.majalla.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Via Constitutional Declaration "the right to political participation and the freedom to form political parties" are "conditional on... a new political party law" which has yet to be issued...
"the absence of a framework for party formation renders genuine political organisation all but impossible"
"the absence of a framework for party formation renders genuine political organisation all but impossible"
Reposted by Haid Haid
Required reading by @haidhaid22.bsky.social he’s, absolutely, right
The political vision Minister Shaibani outlined at Chatham House has a major gap: it offers no clarity on when political parties will be legalised. Continued delays risk reinforcing perceptions that the process is being slowed to give Sharaa a political advantage. en.majalla.com/node/328272/...
Syria cannot afford to postpone pluralism
The country's new leaders say people will eventually be able to form political parties when the transition period is over, but observers are starting to feel sceptical
en.majalla.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Required reading by @haidhaid22.bsky.social he’s, absolutely, right
The political vision Minister Shaibani outlined at Chatham House has a major gap: it offers no clarity on when political parties will be legalised. Continued delays risk reinforcing perceptions that the process is being slowed to give Sharaa a political advantage. en.majalla.com/node/328272/...
Syria cannot afford to postpone pluralism
The country's new leaders say people will eventually be able to form political parties when the transition period is over, but observers are starting to feel sceptical
en.majalla.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The political vision Minister Shaibani outlined at Chatham House has a major gap: it offers no clarity on when political parties will be legalised. Continued delays risk reinforcing perceptions that the process is being slowed to give Sharaa a political advantage. en.majalla.com/node/328272/...
My remarks on Al Jazeera’s Inside Story examine the significance of al-Sharaa’s trip to the White House, what it achieved, how it’s viewed inside Syria, the prospects for a deal with Israel & how Syrians feel nearly a year into the post-Assad transition.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkh5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkh5...
How will the Syrian president's visit to the White House impact the region? | Inside Story
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
My remarks on Al Jazeera’s Inside Story examine the significance of al-Sharaa’s trip to the White House, what it achieved, how it’s viewed inside Syria, the prospects for a deal with Israel & how Syrians feel nearly a year into the post-Assad transition.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkh5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkh5...
Reposted by Haid Haid
My comments to Reuters on the displacement caused by the violence in Sweida, and the complex challenges of return and rebuilding communal coexistence. www.reuters.com/world/syrias...
In Syria’s south, Bedouins uprooted by sectarian clashes see little hope of return
A week of bloodletting all-but ended the presence of Bedouins in most of Druze-dominated Sweida province. Months later, their path home remains uncertain.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 AM
My comments to Reuters on the displacement caused by the violence in Sweida, and the complex challenges of return and rebuilding communal coexistence. www.reuters.com/world/syrias...
In this CNN interview, I highlight the main topics covered during President #al_Sharaa’s #visit to the #White_House and emphasize that the real measure of impact will be whether it moves the House of Representatives to permanently repeal the #Caesar_Act. youtu.be/ah4j6SgClHs?...
My interview with CNN on the significance of President al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House.
YouTube video by Haid N Haid
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM
In this CNN interview, I highlight the main topics covered during President #al_Sharaa’s #visit to the #White_House and emphasize that the real measure of impact will be whether it moves the House of Representatives to permanently repeal the #Caesar_Act. youtu.be/ah4j6SgClHs?...
My comments to Reuters on the displacement caused by the violence in Sweida, and the complex challenges of return and rebuilding communal coexistence. www.reuters.com/world/syrias...
In Syria’s south, Bedouins uprooted by sectarian clashes see little hope of return
A week of bloodletting all-but ended the presence of Bedouins in most of Druze-dominated Sweida province. Months later, their path home remains uncertain.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 AM
My comments to Reuters on the displacement caused by the violence in Sweida, and the complex challenges of return and rebuilding communal coexistence. www.reuters.com/world/syrias...
My latest unpacks the recent standoff between Syrian security forces and a French jihadist faction in Idlib, revealing how it fits into Damascus’s evolving strategy on foreign fighters and what it means moving forward. en.majalla.com/node/328060/...
Syria lacks a coherent policy on foreign fighters
The recent standoff between Syrian security forces and Firqatul Ghuraba—a French-led jihadist faction entrenched in the Harem camp in Idlib—exposes flaws in Damascus's approach
en.majalla.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 AM
My latest unpacks the recent standoff between Syrian security forces and a French jihadist faction in Idlib, revealing how it fits into Damascus’s evolving strategy on foreign fighters and what it means moving forward. en.majalla.com/node/328060/...
يناقش مقالي مواجهة الأمن السوري مع فرقة "الغرباء" الفرنسية كمدخل لتحليل استراتيجية الحكومة الانتقالية تجاه المقاتلين الأجانب والثغرات الكامنة فيها.
www.majalla.com/node/328098/...
www.majalla.com/node/328098/...
ثغرات في نهج دمشق تجاه المقاتلين الأجانب
ربما انتهت المواجهة الأخيرة بين قوات الأمن السورية و"فرقة الغرباء" بوقف إطلاق النار. و"فرقة الغرباء" هي فصيل بقيادة جهادي فرنسي متمركز في مخيم حارم بإدلب، إلا أن الأزمة لا تزال بعيدة عن الحل. فما بدأ ...
www.majalla.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:03 AM
يناقش مقالي مواجهة الأمن السوري مع فرقة "الغرباء" الفرنسية كمدخل لتحليل استراتيجية الحكومة الانتقالية تجاه المقاتلين الأجانب والثغرات الكامنة فيها.
www.majalla.com/node/328098/...
www.majalla.com/node/328098/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
My latest looks at how unresolved property violations are driving local conflict in Syria, and what authorities have (or haven’t) done to help people reclaim what was taken. Until addressed properly, these disputes will continue to undermine prospects for lasting peace en.majalla.com/node/327989/...
Assad’s legacy of dispossession still felt in post-war Syria
For residents still carrying the trauma of past dispossession, projects like Boulevard al-Nasser look less like progress and more like déjà vu
en.majalla.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
My latest looks at how unresolved property violations are driving local conflict in Syria, and what authorities have (or haven’t) done to help people reclaim what was taken. Until addressed properly, these disputes will continue to undermine prospects for lasting peace en.majalla.com/node/327989/...
My latest looks at how unresolved property violations are driving local conflict in Syria, and what authorities have (or haven’t) done to help people reclaim what was taken. Until addressed properly, these disputes will continue to undermine prospects for lasting peace en.majalla.com/node/327989/...
Assad’s legacy of dispossession still felt in post-war Syria
For residents still carrying the trauma of past dispossession, projects like Boulevard al-Nasser look less like progress and more like déjà vu
en.majalla.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:18 AM
My latest looks at how unresolved property violations are driving local conflict in Syria, and what authorities have (or haven’t) done to help people reclaim what was taken. Until addressed properly, these disputes will continue to undermine prospects for lasting peace en.majalla.com/node/327989/...
In a positive step, the Syrian Justice Minister announced that public trials for those accused of violations during the March coastal violence will be held soon. It’s essential that victims' families are informed and able to attend. syria.tv/334487
وزير العدل: محاكمات علنية للمتهمين بارتكاب جرائم خلال أحداث الساحل والسويداء
أعلن وزير العدل السوري، مظهر الويس، أن السلطات القضائية ستجري محاكمات علنية للمتهمين بارتكاب انتهاكات خلال أحداث الساحل والسويداء، مؤكداً أن الإجراءات تهدف ...
syria.tv
October 31, 2025 at 8:38 AM
In a positive step, the Syrian Justice Minister announced that public trials for those accused of violations during the March coastal violence will be held soon. It’s essential that victims' families are informed and able to attend. syria.tv/334487
Reposted by Haid Haid
My latest argues that support to Syria depends not only on need, but on the conditions that allow it to be delivered. That responsibility rests squarely with Damascus, which must ensure the environment enables, rather than obstructs, effective delivery. en.majalla.com/node/327872/...
Syria needs economic support, but must also do its part
Just as much as continued commitment from the international community, preventing donor fatigue or diverted resources will require decisive action from Damascus
en.majalla.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My latest argues that support to Syria depends not only on need, but on the conditions that allow it to be delivered. That responsibility rests squarely with Damascus, which must ensure the environment enables, rather than obstructs, effective delivery. en.majalla.com/node/327872/...
My latest argues that support to Syria depends not only on need, but on the conditions that allow it to be delivered. That responsibility rests squarely with Damascus, which must ensure the environment enables, rather than obstructs, effective delivery. en.majalla.com/node/327872/...
Syria needs economic support, but must also do its part
Just as much as continued commitment from the international community, preventing donor fatigue or diverted resources will require decisive action from Damascus
en.majalla.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My latest argues that support to Syria depends not only on need, but on the conditions that allow it to be delivered. That responsibility rests squarely with Damascus, which must ensure the environment enables, rather than obstructs, effective delivery. en.majalla.com/node/327872/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
@haidhaid22.bsky.social on critical reaction to Syria’s recent parliamentary election/selection: en.majalla.com/node/327757/...
Syria’s new parliament raises old questions
If exclusion and opacity persist, Syria risks reinforcing the very conditions that led to its collapse. It isn't just the legitimacy of one election cycle that's at stake, but the entire transition.
en.majalla.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:09 AM
@haidhaid22.bsky.social on critical reaction to Syria’s recent parliamentary election/selection: en.majalla.com/node/327757/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
Fixing representation gaps in the legislative body through presidential appointments alone risks addressing symptoms, not root causes. Without urgently reviving political life, both the next elections and parliament’s ability to function will be undermined. en.majalla.com/node/327757/...
Syria’s new parliament raises old questions
If exclusion and opacity persist, Syria risks reinforcing the very conditions that led to its collapse. It isn't just the legitimacy of one election cycle that's at stake, but the entire transition.
en.majalla.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Fixing representation gaps in the legislative body through presidential appointments alone risks addressing symptoms, not root causes. Without urgently reviving political life, both the next elections and parliament’s ability to function will be undermined. en.majalla.com/node/327757/...
Fixing representation gaps in the legislative body through presidential appointments alone risks addressing symptoms, not root causes. Without urgently reviving political life, both the next elections and parliament’s ability to function will be undermined. en.majalla.com/node/327757/...
Syria’s new parliament raises old questions
If exclusion and opacity persist, Syria risks reinforcing the very conditions that led to its collapse. It isn't just the legitimacy of one election cycle that's at stake, but the entire transition.
en.majalla.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Fixing representation gaps in the legislative body through presidential appointments alone risks addressing symptoms, not root causes. Without urgently reviving political life, both the next elections and parliament’s ability to function will be undermined. en.majalla.com/node/327757/...
Reposted by Haid Haid
My latest covers the backlash sparked by donations from the #Hamsho family at a high-profile fundraiser attended by the #Syrian president, raising questions about the transitional authorities' handling of ex-regime #cronies and potential backroom deals. en.majalla.com/node/327649/...
Hamsho donations revive questions about the fate of Assad's cronies
The donations were not random acts of goodwill, but part of a calculated campaign to rehabilitate the Hamsho name, using wealth built on Syrians' suffering to buy legitimacy
en.majalla.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
My latest covers the backlash sparked by donations from the #Hamsho family at a high-profile fundraiser attended by the #Syrian president, raising questions about the transitional authorities' handling of ex-regime #cronies and potential backroom deals. en.majalla.com/node/327649/...