Latest news with #SyrianEmergencyTaskForce
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis: After meeting Trump, Syria's new leader must prove his willingness, capability
BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's unexpected approach to Syria has presented a significant opportunity for the country's interim president, Ahmad Sharaa, to prove that he can overcome the enormous challenges he faces and lead the war-torn nation toward recovery and stabilization, political analysts and experts said. Trump's announcement of the cessation of U.S. sanctions, along with his meeting with Sharaa -- a former jihadist who, until recently, was on the U.S. most-wanted list with a $10 million bounty on his head -- marked a turning point and the beginning of a new chapter for Syria nearly six months after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and his Baathist regime. With Assad gone, the sanctions were increasingly seen as only prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people and worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Had the sanctions remained in place, Syria would have become a failed state, as it was just weeks away from financial collapse, according to Mouaz Mustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. In an interview with PBS NewsHour, Mustafa warned that continued sanctions would have led to disastrous consequences for both the region and the world. With layers of sanctions in place since 1979, the process of lifting them remains unclear, and experts say it will take time. "There is a huge difference between deciding to lift sanctions and actually lifting them," Nanar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst for the International Crisis Group, told UPI. However, he said it would be "a game-changer" for the economy, giving the green light for the private sector and other stakeholders involved in Syria to step in and "be more bold." Since taking over after Assad's ouster, Sharaa has repeatedly called for the lifting of U.S. and other international sanctions to allow his country to breathe again. He understands that without funding and financial support, there is little he can do to put Syria back on track. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the continuation of sanctions was hindering the country's ability to recover and move forward. Yacoubian noted that removing the sanctions would open the way for Gulf countries in particular to "do more" and channel more resources toward Syria's early recovery and stabilization, and eventually, reconstruction -- provided it is done "transparently and in a responsible way." However, Syria's problems will not be resolved simply by ending the sanctions. Sharaa is facing "very significant issues," including sectarian tensions, the need for transitional justice, and how to manage the more extreme elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS -- the group he led before becoming president -- as well as affiliated factions on which he continues to rely while trying to consolidate control. "So how will he use this newfound breathing space and the anticipated resources to consolidate his personal power, or rather to put Syria on a more sustainable path toward stability and, ultimately, peace?" Yacoubian asked rhetorically. She added that he will have to demonstrate a willingness to undertake complex processes related to transitional justice, inclusive governance, and national reconciliation. According to Hawach, Trump has given Sharaa "the benefit of the doubt," and the new leadership in Damascus will need to seize this opportunity to meet internal and external expectations. "How willing are they to take bold, risky steps such as distancing themselves from their radical base and expanding to include a broader range of constituencies?" he asked. "Are they prepared to take courageous actions to rein in or address the presence of foreign fighters? Would they focus on other issues, such as building institutional capacity or strengthening military capabilities?" Trump, who described Sharaa as an "attractive, tough guy," urged him to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, expel foreign fighters from Syria, deport Palestinian militants, assist the U.S. in preventing an ISIS resurgence and take responsibility for ISIS detention centers in northeast Syria. What Syrians want most is a more inclusive national dialogue and political process, the formation of a national army and measures to address the fears of minority groups. Anas Joudeh, a political researcher and founder of the Nation Building Movement in Syria, said the first step would be for Sharaa to seriously engage with all of the country's constituencies, restart the national dialogue, adopt a new constitution, and form a more inclusive government. "We can't expect things to be perfect right now," Joudeh told UPI. "We will strongly support any move toward greater inclusivity, as the country is heading toward total economic and social collapse." He said the key to Syria's successful transition is the formation of a national army, which poses a "big challenge" for Sharaa. This includes absorbing the armed factions, addressing the foreign fighters who still maintain control in several areas and convincing the Druze, Alawites and Kurds to lay down their weapons. "But that would be very difficult if Sharaa keeps on [running the country] with the same mentality," Joudeh said. Sharaa will, therefore, need to address the concerns of the Druze, Alawites and Kurds, find solutions to mitigate feelings of existential threat, impose security and, ultimately, act not as a faction leader, but as the leader of the entire country, Hawach said. "If they decide to make positive steps towards these communities, this is the perfect time to do so," he added. He explained that with the possibility of accessing much-needed funds, the country can recruit for the army, establish better command control and gain more leverage to deal with armed factions that are not yet fully under the new authorities' control. Makram Rabah, a political activist and history professor at the American University of Beirut, said Trump's meeting with Sharaa will put more pressures on him to act as a political leader. "Lifting the sanctions sent a message not only to Sharaa but also to the Druze, Kurds and Alawites: that there is political cover, a form of settlement, and a need to work together," Rabah told UPI. "However, this is far from easy."
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Analysis: After meeting Trump, Syria's new leader must prove his willingness, capability
BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's unexpected approach to Syria has presented a significant opportunity for the country's interim president, Ahmad Sharaa, to prove that he can overcome the enormous challenges he faces and lead the war-torn nation toward recovery and stabilization, political analysts and experts said. Trump's announcement of the cessation of U.S. sanctions, along with his meeting with Sharaa -- a former jihadist who, until recently, was on the U.S. most-wanted list with a $10 million bounty on his head -- marked a turning point and the beginning of a new chapter for Syria nearly six months after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and his Baathist regime. With Assad gone, the sanctions were increasingly seen as only prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people and worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Had the sanctions remained in place, Syria would have become a failed state, as it was just weeks away from financial collapse, according to Mouaz Mustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. In an interview with PBS NewsHour, Mustafa warned that continued sanctions would have led to disastrous consequences for both the region and the world. With layers of sanctions in place since 1979, the process of lifting them remains unclear, and experts say it will take time. "There is a huge difference between deciding to lift sanctions and actually lifting them," Nanar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst for the International Crisis Group, told UPI. However, he said it would be "a game-changer" for the economy, giving the green light for the private sector and other stakeholders involved in Syria to step in and "be more bold." Since taking over after Assad's ouster, Sharaa has repeatedly called for the lifting of U.S. and other international sanctions to allow his country to breathe again. He understands that without funding and financial support, there is little he can do to put Syria back on track. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the continuation of sanctions was hindering the country's ability to recover and move forward. Yacoubian noted that removing the sanctions would open the way for Gulf countries in particular to "do more" and channel more resources toward Syria's early recovery and stabilization, and eventually, reconstruction -- provided it is done "transparently and in a responsible way." However, Syria's problems will not be resolved simply by ending the sanctions. Sharaa is facing "very significant issues," including sectarian tensions, the need for transitional justice, and how to manage the more extreme elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS -- the group he led before becoming president -- as well as affiliated factions on which he continues to rely while trying to consolidate control. "So how will he use this newfound breathing space and the anticipated resources to consolidate his personal power, or rather to put Syria on a more sustainable path toward stability and, ultimately, peace?" Yacoubian asked rhetorically. She added that he will have to demonstrate a willingness to undertake complex processes related to transitional justice, inclusive governance, and national reconciliation. According to Hawach, Trump has given Sharaa "the benefit of the doubt," and the new leadership in Damascus will need to seize this opportunity to meet internal and external expectations. "How willing are they to take bold, risky steps such as distancing themselves from their radical base and expanding to include a broader range of constituencies?" he asked. "Are they prepared to take courageous actions to rein in or address the presence of foreign fighters? Would they focus on other issues, such as building institutional capacity or strengthening military capabilities?" Trump, who described Sharaa as an "attractive, tough guy," urged him to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, expel foreign fighters from Syria, deport Palestinian militants, assist the U.S. in preventing an ISIS resurgence and take responsibility for ISIS detention centers in northeast Syria. What Syrians want most is a more inclusive national dialogue and political process, the formation of a national army and measures to address the fears of minority groups. Anas Joudeh, a political researcher and founder of the Nation Building Movement in Syria, said the first step would be for Sharaa to seriously engage with all of the country's constituencies, restart the national dialogue, adopt a new constitution, and form a more inclusive government. "We can't expect things to be perfect right now," Joudeh told UPI. "We will strongly support any move toward greater inclusivity, as the country is heading toward total economic and social collapse." He said the key to Syria's successful transition is the formation of a national army, which poses a "big challenge" for Sharaa. This includes absorbing the armed factions, addressing the foreign fighters who still maintain control in several areas and convincing the Druze, Alawites and Kurds to lay down their weapons. "But that would be very difficult if Sharaa keeps on [running the country] with the same mentality," Joudeh said. Sharaa will, therefore, need to address the concerns of the Druze, Alawites and Kurds, find solutions to mitigate feelings of existential threat, impose security and, ultimately, act not as a faction leader, but as the leader of the entire country, Hawach said. "If they decide to make positive steps towards these communities, this is the perfect time to do so," he added. He explained that with the possibility of accessing much-needed funds, the country can recruit for the army, establish better command control and gain more leverage to deal with armed factions that are not yet fully under the new authorities' control. Makram Rabah, a political activist and history professor at the American University of Beirut, said Trump's meeting with Sharaa will put more pressures on him to act as a political leader. "Lifting the sanctions sent a message not only to Sharaa but also to the Druze, Kurds and Alawites: that there is political cover, a form of settlement, and a need to work together," Rabah told UPI. "However, this is far from easy." Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
16-05-2025
- Business
- UPI
Analysis: After meeting Trump, Syria's new leader must prove his willingness, capability
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (3-R) hosts a conference call between U.S. President Donald Trump (C), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R-C) and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (2L) on Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined by phone. Photo by Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs/UPI | License Photo BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's unexpected approach to Syria has presented a significant opportunity for the country's interim president, Ahmad Sharaa, to prove that he can overcome the enormous challenges he faces and lead the war-torn nation toward recovery and stabilization, political analysts and experts said. Trump's announcement of the cessation of U.S. sanctions, along with his meeting with Sharaa -- a former jihadist who, until recently, was on the U.S. most-wanted list with a $10 million bounty on his head -- marked a turning point and the beginning of a new chapter for Syria nearly six months after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and his Baathist regime. With Assad gone, the sanctions were increasingly seen as only prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people and worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Had the sanctions remained in place, Syria would have become a failed state, as it was just weeks away from financial collapse, according to Mouaz Mustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. In an interview with PBS NewsHour, Mustafa warned that continued sanctions would have led to disastrous consequences for both the region and the world. With layers of sanctions in place since 1979, the process of lifting them remains unclear, and experts say it will take time. "There is a huge difference between deciding to lift sanctions and actually lifting them," Nanar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst for the International Crisis Group, told UPI. However, he said it would be "a game-changer" for the economy, giving the green light for the private sector and other stakeholders involved in Syria to step in and "be more bold." Since taking over after Assad's ouster, Sharaa has repeatedly called for the lifting of U.S. and other international sanctions to allow his country to breathe again. He understands that without funding and financial support, there is little he can do to put Syria back on track. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that the continuation of sanctions was hindering the country's ability to recover and move forward. Yacoubian noted that removing the sanctions would open the way for Gulf countries in particular to "do more" and channel more resources toward Syria's early recovery and stabilization, and eventually, reconstruction -- provided it is done "transparently and in a responsible way." However, Syria's problems will not be resolved simply by ending the sanctions. Sharaa is facing "very significant issues," including sectarian tensions, the need for transitional justice, and how to manage the more extreme elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS -- the group he led before becoming president -- as well as affiliated factions on which he continues to rely while trying to consolidate control. "So how will he use this newfound breathing space and the anticipated resources to consolidate his personal power, or rather to put Syria on a more sustainable path toward stability and, ultimately, peace?" Yacoubian asked rhetorically. She added that he will have to demonstrate a willingness to undertake complex processes related to transitional justice, inclusive governance, and national reconciliation. According to Hawach, Trump has given Sharaa "the benefit of the doubt," and the new leadership in Damascus will need to seize this opportunity to meet internal and external expectations. "How willing are they to take bold, risky steps such as distancing themselves from their radical base and expanding to include a broader range of constituencies?" he asked. "Are they prepared to take courageous actions to rein in or address the presence of foreign fighters? Would they focus on other issues, such as building institutional capacity or strengthening military capabilities?" Trump, who described Sharaa as an "attractive, tough guy," urged him to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, expel foreign fighters from Syria, deport Palestinian militants, assist the U.S. in preventing an ISIS resurgence and take responsibility for ISIS detention centers in northeast Syria. What Syrians want most is a more inclusive national dialogue and political process, the formation of a national army and measures to address the fears of minority groups. Anas Joudeh, a political researcher and founder of the Nation Building Movement in Syria, said the first step would be for Sharaa to seriously engage with all of the country's constituencies, restart the national dialogue, adopt a new constitution, and form a more inclusive government. "We can't expect things to be perfect right now," Joudeh told UPI. "We will strongly support any move toward greater inclusivity, as the country is heading toward total economic and social collapse." He said the key to Syria's successful transition is the formation of a national army, which poses a "big challenge" for Sharaa. This includes absorbing the armed factions, addressing the foreign fighters who still maintain control in several areas and convincing the Druze, Alawites and Kurds to lay down their weapons. "But that would be very difficult if Sharaa keeps on [running the country] with the same mentality," Joudeh said. Sharaa will, therefore, need to address the concerns of the Druze, Alawites and Kurds, find solutions to mitigate feelings of existential threat, impose security and, ultimately, act not as a faction leader, but as the leader of the entire country, Hawach said. "If they decide to make positive steps towards these communities, this is the perfect time to do so," he added. He explained that with the possibility of accessing much-needed funds, the country can recruit for the army, establish better command control and gain more leverage to deal with armed factions that are not yet fully under the new authorities' control. Makram Rabah, a political activist and history professor at the American University of Beirut, said Trump's meeting with Sharaa will put more pressures on him to act as a political leader. "Lifting the sanctions sent a message not only to Sharaa but also to the Druze, Kurds and Alawites: that there is political cover, a form of settlement, and a need to work together," Rabah told UPI. "However, this is far from easy."
CBS News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Caesar, a former Syrian military photographer, unmasked
For over a decade, the world only knew him as "Caesar." His photographs, harrowing and haunting, were smuggled out of Syria at great risk. They offer a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the systematic torture and mass killing inside former President Bashar al-Assad's prisons. Caesar remained a faceless witness to some of Assad's darkest atrocities, but the dictator's collapse in December 2024 allowed him to step into the light. In a televised interview with Al Jazeera in February he revealed himself. His hands tapped nervously as he spoke, releasing the weight of 12 years of civil war, he said: "I am First Lieutenant Farid al-Madhhan, the (former) head of the forensic evidence department at the military police in Damascus, known as Caesar." He fled Syria in 2013, taking with him about 55,000 graphic pictures he'd photographed between 2011 and 2013. With support from Mouaz Moustafa and his nongovernmental organization, the Syrian Emergency Task Force, Madhhan told Scott Pelley for a report that aired in 2021: "I did all of this. I risked my life and the lives of my family in order to show and expose to the entire world the true face of this dictatorship of the Assad regime." Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Stephen J. Rapp called Madhhan's images the strongest case against a dictator he'd ever seen. "We've got better evidence against Assad than we had against Milosevic. Maybe even the Nazis. They didn't take individual photos of their victims. Assad's people did," Rapp said. Madhhan shared with us never-before-seen images he smuggled out of Syria—skeletal bodies, evidence of starvation, bruises from beatings and methodical cruelty. They weren't just photos. They were proof. They were the truth. Though Assad's crimes were condemned, nothing stopped him. We titled our piece "Handcuffed to the Truth" to illustrate this cruel paradox. For a decade, Madhhan's photos helped families search for their loved ones and served as evidence that could shackle Assad's regime to their crimes. Then, in December 2024, the Syrian people bore witness to the unthinkable. Assad's empire crumbled as rebel groups reclaimed the country. Soldiers fled in fear, and Assad himself escaped to Russia. When we visited Damascus days after the regime's fall, feelings of peace and hope were palpable. Justice felt possible for the first time since we began reporting on the crisis. Legal authorities in Europe have initiated proceedings against former government officials, and Madhhan's catalog of evidence and 2014 Congressional testimony will be paramount to any case. While we were inside a free Syria, crowds took to the streets in both jubilation and grief. The conflicting emotions reflected the aftermath of Assad's brutal rule—over half a million lives lost, millions displaced, and a country in ruins. Syria's next chapter is yet to be written. Like Madhhan, we will shine a light on the toll of Syria's civil war, so the truth no longer hides in the shadows.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syrian Jews' homecoming brings hope for reconstruction and a permanent return after decades in exile
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — As Rabbi Yusuf Hamra and his son Henry were visiting Damascus this week for the first time since emigrating from Syria to the United States more than three decades ago, they were met by former neighbors offering embraces and gossip . The Syrian-American Jewish family returned as part of a delegation organized by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, in the wake of the fall of the government of former President Bashar Assad. Although they had not met in more than 30 years, the family's Christian neighbors spotted Yusuf on the street and remembered him from when he was a teacher in the local school. An excited exchange of reminiscences ensued to catch up on the decades, with gossip about who had married who, who was still living and who had emigrated. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'I left from Syria, but Syria never left us,' said Henry, who was 15 when his family left for New York. During the visit, the Hamras prayed in the long-neglected al-Franj synagogue where Yusuf used to serve as a rabbi, in what is still known as the Jewish quarter, in the old city of Damascus, although only a small handful of Jews remain. They also visited the historic synagogue in the suburb of Jobar, which was heavily damaged and looted during Syria's nearly 14-year civil war. 'May God help us, this won't be rebuilt for decades,' Yusuf said as he surveyed the destruction. Travel restrictions lifted in 1992 Even before mass anti-government protests in 2011 were met by a brutal authoritarian crackdown that eventually spiraled into a civil war, Syria's once-sizeable Jewish population had dwindled to almost nothing. The community in Syria numbered about 100,000 at the start of the 20th century. A wave of emigration had already begun at that time and accelerated in the years surrounding Israel's creation in 1948, Syrian Jews faced increased tensions and restrictions. Many emigrated to Israel, the United States and other countries. Under the Assad family's 54-year authoritarian rule, Jews in Syria were free to practice their religion, but community members faced suspicion of being Israeli spies or collaborators and were banned from traveling outside the country to prevent them from going to Israel until the early 1990s. Once travel restrictions were lifted in 1992 after Arab-Israeli peace talks started, most of the remaining population of about 4,500 left - including the Hamra family - with many of them landing in New York, where they formed a close-knit community. Henry Hamra recalled that his family had lived in constant fear of the draconian Syrian intelligence services - a common experience for Syrians of all religions during the Assad dynasty's rule, but even more so because they were Jewish and subject to extra scrutiny. At the same time, he remembered the family's close bond with their Muslim and Christian neighbors. Plans for rebuilding and reconstruction Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, said he hoped that the Jewish delegation would encourage more Syrian Jews to return - and would help make the case for Washington to lift sanctions that had been imposed during Assad's era. Moustafa said he also hoped that the visit would also show that the country's new authorities - led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly the leader of the Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS - are serious in their public statements about inclusivity and protection of minorities and would lead the U.S. and others to remove the terrorist designation from the group. The Jewish delegation met with Syria's deputy foreign minister, and Yusuf Hamra sent a letter to al-Sharaa in which he said that the Syrian Jewish community abroad 'continues to cherish its deep-rooted connection to Syria, its motherland.' 'Throughout history, this community has been an integral part of the Syrian national fabric,' Hamra wrote. 'We look forward to rebuilding bridges of communication and to actively participating in the reconstruction of our homeland, standing side-by-side with our fellow Syrians.' The return of the Syrian Jews was widely welcomed in Damascus but some questioned the delegation' political motives and whether it was meant as a precursor for normalization of relations with Israel. Moustafa said that was not the case. 'The goal of this visit has no relationship to any country in the region except for Syria,' he said. 'Hard to move back here' As emotional as the homecoming was, the Hamras said they are not ready to think about a permanent return to Damascus, where more than a decade of war has left the infrastructure battered. 'You cannot stay with no electricity, you cannot stay with no water, and when you're living in New York and you have 24 hour electricity and internet... it's very, very, very hard to move back here,' Henry said. Yusuf said 'no one is going to immediately pack his bags and move back' but he hopes that more Syrian Jews living abroad will come to visit and might eventually return for good. 'Each one it depends on his situation if he will come back and live here - we hope that they will come to visit and see and then each one will decide what he wants to do,' he said.
