Thanassis Cambanis
@tcambanis.bsky.social
Director of @CenturyIntl, senior fellow @TCFdotorg.
Books: Iraq war (forthcoming), Once Upon a Revolution, Shia Power, Hezbollah, Hybrid Actors, Citizenship & Discontents.
Books: Iraq war (forthcoming), Once Upon a Revolution, Shia Power, Hezbollah, Hybrid Actors, Citizenship & Discontents.
Even when Trump makes good foreign policy moves (lifting Syria sanctions, proposing Iran deal), there's no policy process.
Just unpredictable imperial caprice.
That means we cannot count on implementation of the few good policies — or any strategic consistency.
Just unpredictable imperial caprice.
That means we cannot count on implementation of the few good policies — or any strategic consistency.
May 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Even when Trump makes good foreign policy moves (lifting Syria sanctions, proposing Iran deal), there's no policy process.
Just unpredictable imperial caprice.
That means we cannot count on implementation of the few good policies — or any strategic consistency.
Just unpredictable imperial caprice.
That means we cannot count on implementation of the few good policies — or any strategic consistency.
Syria's transition faces a thousand risks, but it still could provide an inspiration, if the new order enshrines rights that are universal, rather than sectarian or communal.
April 8, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Syria's transition faces a thousand risks, but it still could provide an inspiration, if the new order enshrines rights that are universal, rather than sectarian or communal.
Relief at Assad’s fall is palpable and widespread.
Assad's regime caused exponentially greater harm than atrocities by ISIS or rebel groups.
Those who suffered under Assad might have considerable patience for mistakes and bad judgment by Syria’s new rulers.
6/7
Assad's regime caused exponentially greater harm than atrocities by ISIS or rebel groups.
Those who suffered under Assad might have considerable patience for mistakes and bad judgment by Syria’s new rulers.
6/7
March 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Relief at Assad’s fall is palpable and widespread.
Assad's regime caused exponentially greater harm than atrocities by ISIS or rebel groups.
Those who suffered under Assad might have considerable patience for mistakes and bad judgment by Syria’s new rulers.
6/7
Assad's regime caused exponentially greater harm than atrocities by ISIS or rebel groups.
Those who suffered under Assad might have considerable patience for mistakes and bad judgment by Syria’s new rulers.
6/7
Many Shia, Christians and Alawis worried they’d face collective punishment for Assad's atrocities.
Some clung to the old sectarian and communal propaganda, calling Syria’s new rulers “takfiri terrorists” and claiming the rebels were worse war criminals than Assad.
4/7
Some clung to the old sectarian and communal propaganda, calling Syria’s new rulers “takfiri terrorists” and claiming the rebels were worse war criminals than Assad.
4/7
March 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Many Shia, Christians and Alawis worried they’d face collective punishment for Assad's atrocities.
Some clung to the old sectarian and communal propaganda, calling Syria’s new rulers “takfiri terrorists” and claiming the rebels were worse war criminals than Assad.
4/7
Some clung to the old sectarian and communal propaganda, calling Syria’s new rulers “takfiri terrorists” and claiming the rebels were worse war criminals than Assad.
4/7
Caveat: I was only in Damascus and environs, for just a few days, before the early March insurgency and sectarian massacres on the coast.
In Douma, Sayida Zaynab, Jaramana, and Old City I encountered relief, anxiety, fear, and hope.
2/7
In Douma, Sayida Zaynab, Jaramana, and Old City I encountered relief, anxiety, fear, and hope.
2/7
March 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Caveat: I was only in Damascus and environs, for just a few days, before the early March insurgency and sectarian massacres on the coast.
In Douma, Sayida Zaynab, Jaramana, and Old City I encountered relief, anxiety, fear, and hope.
2/7
In Douma, Sayida Zaynab, Jaramana, and Old City I encountered relief, anxiety, fear, and hope.
2/7
In Damascus in February, I met with dozens of Syrians. Their personal narratives should ground any thinking about Syria’s precarious transition.
Takeaway: Syrians are divided along multiple lines — but Assad’s fall has removed the deadliest, most toxic threat.
1/7
Takeaway: Syrians are divided along multiple lines — but Assad’s fall has removed the deadliest, most toxic threat.
1/7
March 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
In Damascus in February, I met with dozens of Syrians. Their personal narratives should ground any thinking about Syria’s precarious transition.
Takeaway: Syrians are divided along multiple lines — but Assad’s fall has removed the deadliest, most toxic threat.
1/7
Takeaway: Syrians are divided along multiple lines — but Assad’s fall has removed the deadliest, most toxic threat.
1/7
I returned to Brooklyn upon a freezing evening ready to jump on my bike and go home.
Alas it was not to be.
Generously they left the seat.
Alas it was not to be.
Generously they left the seat.
January 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
I returned to Brooklyn upon a freezing evening ready to jump on my bike and go home.
Alas it was not to be.
Generously they left the seat.
Alas it was not to be.
Generously they left the seat.