Syria’s Electoral Reforms: Myths and Facts

The Syrian people need to reject the new constitution because it  comes from the point of lost political and moral legitimacy, it comes  under continuous violence, and it does not fit Syria's future.

A New Quota System for Syria

The different quotas introduced in this analysis are meant to provide a  more stable, progressive, and efficient future for Syria.

The Relevance of a Presidential Electoral System in Syria

Based on the political needs of Syria, a Presidential system is still the best for the future of the country. That said, people’s demands can best be met with a customized Presidential system.

An Anatomy of the Onset of Syria's Popular Uprising

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs held a lecture series as part of the AUB Arab Uprisings Research Initiative that was launched under the aegis of the AUB Provost's office in December 2011. This open-ended, multi-sectoral initiative  harnesses  AUB's research, analysis and convening resources to engage   constructively with the historic changes taking place across the Arab World. The lecture entitled: "An Anatomy of the Onset of Syr...

Stories of Freedom

Read this interesting personal account of Amjad Baiazy, the Syrian human rights and civil society activist, who was imprisoned by the Syrian authorities on May 12, 2011 and released on June 30, 2011. While in prison, Amajd Baiazy engaged in discussions with inmates on the myths and realities surrounding the Syrian revolution. In this personal account and analysis, Amjad Baiazy addresses the topics of sectarianism, start of the revolution in Daraa, role of Islamists and ‘conspiracy theories’....

Managing militarization in Syria

The most prominent and most troubling of the trends that have shaped the Syrian uprising over the past year is the militarization of the uprising and its transformation from a largely peaceful protest movement to a low-level insurgency dominated not by citizen activists but by a dangerous and uncoordinated array of armed opposition fighters. Dealing with this trend is the most urgent task facing the United States, the Arab League, the European Union, Turkey and the rest of the "Friends o...

Regional Perspectives on the ‘Dignity Revolutions

This policy paper provides unique perspectives from Middle Eastern   activists who are part of popular protests across the region. The   recommendations are based on their perspectives and addressed to the EU   at large European Commission, the Dutch government and  Non-Governmental  Organisations in order for them to best support the  democratic  transitions in the region.These perspectives were the subject of lively and inspiring debates at...

December 16: Arab Spring and Gender: Opportunities and Obstacles

On Friday December 16, the ANVK (the Arab - Dutch Women's Circle) will organise the conference: Arab Spring and Gender: Opportunities and Obstacles.The conference aims to pay attention to the political, social and economical situation of women in different Arab countries after the Arab spring. It also aims at analyzing the role which Western countries and especially the European Union can play to enhance the position of Arab women.

KP policy paper on the ‘Dignity Revolutions’ recommended by BNR News Radio as a reading material

At a programme of the Dutch radio channel BNR News Radio on Wednesday 23 November, the latest policy paper of KP Civil Society in West Asia entitled Regional Perspectives on the 'Dignity Revolutions': How Middle Eastern Activists Perceive Popular Protest was recommended as a reading material. This policy paper provides the perspectives of political and social actors who are the foot soldiers of the ‘Dignity Revolutions’. Please click the link of the programme below (in Dutch).