Article Title
Democracy and Identity: A Tale of Two Regions—Europe and the Arab World

Date
15 September 2024

Credits
Author: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj
Editor (EN): Nihad Alamiri

Link
https://www.lugarit.com/commentary/commentary-democracy-and-identity-a-tale-of-two-regions 

Summary
This article examines the ongoing democracy crisis in the Arab world, focusing on the unresolved tension between governance and collective identity. Drawing comparisons with Europe's historical democratic evolution, it highlights how Arab states, shaped by post-colonial agreements, struggle with fragile national identities. The article explores how current democratic efforts emphasize tolerance over true equality and questions whether the region will experience a long-term transition to a fully realized democratic system, similar to Europe’s gradual shift over centuries.

Democracy and Identity: A Tale of Two Regions—Europe and the Arab World

العنوان 
هل حان الوقت؟  انتقال سوريا إلى اقتصاد السوق الحر

تاريخ النشر
١١ آذار ٢٠٢٥

الناشر 
لوغاريت 

المؤلفون
صهيب الزعبي ، عمر عبد العزيز الحلاج ، نهاد الأميري

الخلاصة
تواجه عملية تعافي الاقتصاد السوري تحديات كبيرة تشمل: استنزاف الموارد، والعقوبات الدولية، وهيمنة القطاع الاقتصادي غير الرسمي. يرافق خطر التضخم التحرير السريع للأسواق، مما يتطلب حوكمة اقتصادية دقيقة. من الضروري تحقيق التوازن (بين الإصلاحات والحفاظ على الأمان الاجتماعي)، وايجاد سياسات نقدية شفافة، وتحقيق استقلالية البنك المركزي، والسعي نحو تكامل القوانين لضمان الاستقرار والنمو الاقتصادي المستدام.

الرابط
https://link.lugarit.com/Blpg

هل حان الوقت؟  انتقال سوريا إلى اقتصاد السوق الحر

Paper Title:
Tal ʿAfar: Local Conflicts, Conflict Resolution and Visions for Peace

Date:
18 March 2025

Publisher: 
LUGARIT

Author: 
Dr. Esther Meininghaus

Summary:
The study examines conflict dynamics in Tal Afar.  Although it appears peaceful, underlying conflicts persist due to alliances between select tribal leaders and hashd al-shaʿbi, at times manipulating aid access and reinforcing patron-client ties. While sectarian divisions are overstated, Sunni-Shiʿi intermarriages persist. Young residents advocate for equal rights, merit-based employment, and fair access to services, challenging entrenched power dynamics.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/sa9o

Tal ʿAfar: Local Conflicts, Conflict Resolution and Visions for Peace

Paper Title:
Redefining Civic Boundaries: Exploring New Regulations and Challenges for NGO Registration in Post-Assad Syria

Date:
08 April 2025

Publisher: 
LUGARIT

Authors: 
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Hassan Masri

Summary:
LUGARIT’s policy paper - developed with the support of SwissPeace - examines how, in post-Assad Syria, NGOs are navigating a fragile civic opening marked by regulatory uncertainty, legacy constraints, and an urgent need for inclusive, trust-based legal reform.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/h1rb


Redefining Civic Boundaries: Exploring New Regulations and Challenges for NGO Registration in Post-Assad Syria

العنوان 
إعادة تعريف الحيز المدني : استكشاف الأنظمة الجديدة والتحديات المتعلقة بتسجيل المنظمات غير الحكومية في سوريا بعد الأسد

تاريخ النشر
٨ نيسان ٢٠٢٥

الناشر 
لوغاريت 

المؤلفون
عمر عبد العزيز الحلاج ، حسان مصري

الخلاصة
تتناول هذه الورقة تطور البيئة التنظيمية للمجتمع المدني في سوريا بعد سقوط نظام الأسد، وتسلّط الضوء على التحديات والفرص الجديدة للمنظمات غير الحكومية. أُعدّت هذه الورقة بدعم من منظمة سويس بيس (SwissPeace).

الرابط
https://link.lugarit.com/h1rb


إعادة تعريف الحيز المدني : استكشاف الأنظمة الجديدة والتحديات المتعلقة بتسجيل المنظمات غير الحكومية في سوريا بعد الأسد

Paper Title:
Syria’s Constitutional Declarations and the Remaking of National Identity

Date:
15 April 2025

Publishers: 
LUGARIT + Syrian Anonymous Journalists

Authors: 
Author: Zedoun Alzoubi.  Editor (EN): Nihad Alamiri

Summary:
This article examines how Syria’s post-regime constitutional declarations reshape national identity. It highlights a shift from pan-Arabism to territorial nationalism, the re-emergence of Islamic jurisprudence, and the constitutional recognition of diversity. While offering a new vision, the paper stresses that true identity will emerge through inclusive practice and implementation.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/kAQ4


Syria’s Constitutional Declarations and the Remaking of National Identity

Paper Title:
Sanctions and the Prospects for Stability and Recovery in Post-Conflict Syria

Date:
17 April 2025

Publishers: 
SwissPeace + LUGARIT

Author: 
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj

Summary:
Multilayered sanctions and widespread overcompliance risk entrenching Syria’s economic fragility and obstructing its post-conflict recovery. This brief – developed by LUGARIT for SwissPeace - calls for a pragmatic shift in international policy—enabling essential services, local governance, and institutional reform—through a phased, risk-managed approach that balances accountability with the urgent need for stabilization and inclusive reconstruction.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/DdEb


Sanctions and the Prospects for Stability and Recovery in Post-Conflict Syria

العنوان 
العقوبات وآفاق الاستقرار والتعافي في سوريا بعد النزاع

تاريخ النشر
١٧ نيسان ٢٠٢٥

الناشر 
SwissPeace + LUGARIT

المؤلف
عمر عبد العزيز الحلاج 

الخلاصة
تُهدد العقوبات - والإفراط في الامتثال لها - الاقتصاد السوري وتعرقل تعافيه بعد سقوط نظام الأسد. يدعو هذا الموجز، الذي أعدته لوغاريت لصالح SwissPeace، إلى تحول عملي في السياسة الدولية، يُمكّن من توفير الخدمات الأساسية، والحوكمة المحلية، والإصلاح المؤسسي، من خلال نهج تدريجي ، يُوازن بين المساءلة والحاجة المُلحة لتحقيق الاستقرار وإعادة الإعمار الشاملة.

الرابط
https://link.lugarit.com/DdEb


العقوبات وآفاق الاستقرار والتعافي في سوريا بعد النزاع

Paper Title:
Baʿshiqa: Local Conflicts, Conflict Resolution and Visions for Peace

Date:
22 April 2025

Publisher: 
LUGARIT

Author: 
Dr. Esther Meininghaus

Summary:
This paper examines conflict in Baʿshiqa, highlighting how the Iraqi education system’s emphasis on religious difference perpetuates discrimination, especially against Yazidis. It calls for inclusive reforms that acknowledge diverse histories, foster shared humanity, and promote equality, justice, and psychosocial support as foundations for sustainable peace and social cohesion.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/pqJ2

Photo: 
KRG President Masoud Barzani meeting with the religious leaders of Kurdistan. Baʿshiqa, Iraq. 16 November 2016.  Photo © Berci Feher / ZUMA Press - via Alamy.


Baʿshiqa: Local Conflicts, Conflict Resolution and Visions for Peace

Paper Title:
Moving Beyond the Legacy of Centralized Power: Multilevel Governance in Syria

Date:
23 April 2025

Publishers: 
LUGARIT + Omran Center for Strategic Studies

Authors: 
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj + Hassan Masri

Summary:
This paper argues that Syria’s authoritarianism was upheld through systemic strategies of centralization by weakening local and regional governance. It warns against reinstating this model post-conflict and calls for an inclusive approach to reintegrating the territory. Sustainable recovery, the authors contend, hinges on empowering middle and local levels with real authority and institutional capacity.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/Klvn

Photo:
Syrian Parliament House. Damascus, Syria. 15 February 1955.  Photo © Camera Press / Sydney Morning Herald - via Alamy.


Moving Beyond the Legacy of Centralized Power: Multilevel Governance in Syria

Article Title:
Beyond Slogans: Six Principles for Civil Peace in Syria

Date:
01 May 2025

Publishers: 
LUGARIT + The New Arab

Authors: 
Zedoun Al Zoubi (AR) + Nihad Alamiri (EN) + Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj (Editor, EN)

Summary:
This article proposes six principles to guide Syria’s path toward civil peace, emphasizing inclusive citizenship, restorative justice, state legitimacy, and meaningful participation. It calls for rejecting sectarian narratives and engaging all Syrians in rebuilding a shared future—through dialogue, institutional reform, and a renewed social contract grounded in dignity and equality.

Link:
https://link.lugarit.com/Dhz8

Photo: 
A boy holding a white dove against the ruins of war-torn Homs, Syria. September 2013.  Photo © ART production - via ShutterStock.

Beyond Slogans: Six Principles for Civil Peace in Syria

LUGARIT is a small think tank active in international development.

Democracy and Identity: A Tale of Two Regions—Europe and the Arab World

LUGARIT

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