Hopes and Fears for a New Beginning in Syria: Local Dynamics and International Cooperation in a War-Torn Country

Event Type
Hybrid event

Location / Date
Bonn and Online, 19.02.2025

German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

After al-Assad’s fall on December 8, 2025, Syria emerges from a historical impasse and faces a pivotal moment in rebuilding its political and economic institutions. There is an opportunity now to create a more inclusive and representative socio-political order. However, Ahmed al-Sharaa – abjuring his nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani – and his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) emerge as the new strongmen, nurturing fears of a return to an exclusionary authoritarian rule under a new Islamist label.
 
The German Institute for Development and Sustainability (IDOS) cordially invites you to an event assessing Syria's critical transition to an unknown future. At the heart of this debate are the complex interactions between Syria's diverse local components, including Sunni Arabs, religious minorities, and Kurds, as well as the role of expatriate and external actors in shaping the country’s future. This event will explore these tensions and possible scenarios, as well as the potential role of international development cooperation in fostering stability and inclusivity.
 
The event will feature inputs by the following speakers:

• Regina Kaltenbach, Project Officer Syria at Caritas Germany
• Musallam Abedtalas, Researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
• Tina Zintl, Researcher at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

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The interventions will be followed by an extensive Q&A round.

Hinweis

Während unserer Veranstaltungen werden z.T. Foto- und/oder Filmaufnahmen gemacht, die für Zwecke der Veranstaltungsberichterstattung und allgemeinen Öffentlichkeitsarbeit in verschiedenen Medien veröffentlicht werden. Sie haben jederzeit das Recht, die Foto- oder Videograf*innen darauf hinzuweisen, dass Sie nicht aufgenommen werden möchten. / During our events photos and/or videos may be taken which may be published in various media for the purposes of documentation and PR activities. You have the right at any time to point out to the photographer or videographer that you do not want to be photographed or filmed.