@charleslister1.bsky.social
At the end of the day, the effects of #Syria's 13+yrs of conflict can't be understated -- the destruction, the death, the missing, the debilitating economic collapse, the humanitarian crisis...
The list of needs is immeasurable & the clock is ticking.
The list of needs is immeasurable & the clock is ticking.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
At the end of the day, the effects of #Syria's 13+yrs of conflict can't be understated -- the destruction, the death, the missing, the debilitating economic collapse, the humanitarian crisis...
The list of needs is immeasurable & the clock is ticking.
The list of needs is immeasurable & the clock is ticking.
But this balancing act isn't easy. He needs to broaden his cabinet & while there are plans to do so, some within his #HTS base are *sharply* opposed.
While most sanctions remain, his base is also questioning if his pragmatism is working with external actors.
While most sanctions remain, his base is also questioning if his pragmatism is working with external actors.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
But this balancing act isn't easy. He needs to broaden his cabinet & while there are plans to do so, some within his #HTS base are *sharply* opposed.
While most sanctions remain, his base is also questioning if his pragmatism is working with external actors.
While most sanctions remain, his base is also questioning if his pragmatism is working with external actors.
The clear success resulting from his pragmatic posture has won him significant popular support -- I saw repeatedly people trying to sell revolutionary flags with his face on them, even though they've been made illegal.
He's become a celebrity, as has his wife.
He's become a celebrity, as has his wife.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The clear success resulting from his pragmatic posture has won him significant popular support -- I saw repeatedly people trying to sell revolutionary flags with his face on them, even though they've been made illegal.
He's become a celebrity, as has his wife.
He's become a celebrity, as has his wife.
#Suwayda's main armed factions - Rijal al-Karama & Ahrar Jabal - were invited to Ahmed al-Sharaa's Jan 29 victory speech, but weren't told what it was for. They left before entering, after discovering its purpose.
#Druze-#SDF contact is constant & high-level.
#Druze-#SDF contact is constant & high-level.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
#Suwayda's main armed factions - Rijal al-Karama & Ahrar Jabal - were invited to Ahmed al-Sharaa's Jan 29 victory speech, but weren't told what it was for. They left before entering, after discovering its purpose.
#Druze-#SDF contact is constant & high-level.
#Druze-#SDF contact is constant & high-level.
Sanctions, sanctions, sanctions.
I can't understate the centrality of this issue, as #Syria celebrates freedom & yearns to recover. External restrictions make no sense, burn trust & risk triggering serious unrest & eventually, a new chapter of conflict.
I can't understate the centrality of this issue, as #Syria celebrates freedom & yearns to recover. External restrictions make no sense, burn trust & risk triggering serious unrest & eventually, a new chapter of conflict.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Sanctions, sanctions, sanctions.
I can't understate the centrality of this issue, as #Syria celebrates freedom & yearns to recover. External restrictions make no sense, burn trust & risk triggering serious unrest & eventually, a new chapter of conflict.
I can't understate the centrality of this issue, as #Syria celebrates freedom & yearns to recover. External restrictions make no sense, burn trust & risk triggering serious unrest & eventually, a new chapter of conflict.
I met countless Syrian businessmen desperate to invest, who insisted that US waivers made little practical difference to their ability to do so.
Regional states' desire to invest even more have also slowed, prompted by concerns of #Trump's unknown position.
Regional states' desire to invest even more have also slowed, prompted by concerns of #Trump's unknown position.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I met countless Syrian businessmen desperate to invest, who insisted that US waivers made little practical difference to their ability to do so.
Regional states' desire to invest even more have also slowed, prompted by concerns of #Trump's unknown position.
Regional states' desire to invest even more have also slowed, prompted by concerns of #Trump's unknown position.
While the euphoria resulting from #Assad's fall continues to feed Syrian patience amid economic collapse & humanitarian struggles, that patience won't last forever.
Sanctions remain *THE* obstacle to an urgent need for economic investment & gradual recovery.
Sanctions remain *THE* obstacle to an urgent need for economic investment & gradual recovery.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
While the euphoria resulting from #Assad's fall continues to feed Syrian patience amid economic collapse & humanitarian struggles, that patience won't last forever.
Sanctions remain *THE* obstacle to an urgent need for economic investment & gradual recovery.
Sanctions remain *THE* obstacle to an urgent need for economic investment & gradual recovery.
The US military also green-lighted the Syrian Free Army's (based in al-Tanf) attendance at Ahmed al-Sharaa's Jan 29 "victory" speech to military factions.
"Frequent" CENTCOM-#Damascus contact is now the norm & intelligence contacts continue, also.
"Frequent" CENTCOM-#Damascus contact is now the norm & intelligence contacts continue, also.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The US military also green-lighted the Syrian Free Army's (based in al-Tanf) attendance at Ahmed al-Sharaa's Jan 29 "victory" speech to military factions.
"Frequent" CENTCOM-#Damascus contact is now the norm & intelligence contacts continue, also.
"Frequent" CENTCOM-#Damascus contact is now the norm & intelligence contacts continue, also.
#SDF-#Damascus talks continue & the US military is playing a direct role in encouraging them to move forward. An "American General" attends most of the talks in al-Dumayr Airbase & elsewhere; & the US is pushing the #SDF to make a deal, I was repeatedly told.
February 7, 2025 at 5:14 PM
#SDF-#Damascus talks continue & the US military is playing a direct role in encouraging them to move forward. An "American General" attends most of the talks in al-Dumayr Airbase & elsewhere; & the US is pushing the #SDF to make a deal, I was repeatedly told.