Speakers
Lubna Alkanawati
Syrian Feminist and Human Rights Defender; Executive Director, Women Now for Development
Mohammad Hosam Hafez
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Arab Center for Contemporary Syrian Studies
Hanan Halimah
Program Manager, Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Sednaya Prison
Marwan Kabalan
Director of Policy Analysis, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies
Moderator
About the Webinar
Since Assad’s ouster in December 2024, Syria has entered a phase of transition marked by evolving governance structures, shifting security dynamics, ongoing economic challenges, and no path toward democratic transition. The transitional government has launched initial efforts toward justice and transparency, yet sectarian divisions, violence, and lack of accountability persist. Economic recovery remains fragile with devastated infrastructure, scarce investment, and slow reconstruction. Political negotiations on constitutional reform and representation remain unresolved, and widespread demands for transparent and inclusive governance alongside a clear commitment to transitional justice remain unanswered. For many Syrians, this period has brought a mix of celebration over renewed freedoms and impatience with the pace of change.
Arab Center Washington DC is convening a panel of experts to examine Syria’s trajectory one year after the collapse of the Assad regime. The conversation will assess the transitional government’s efforts to stabilize state institutions, navigate persistent security challenges, and respond to the needs of millions of Syrians. Panelists will also examine the prospects for economic recovery as the country attempts to rebuild infrastructure, attract investment, and revive its economy under ongoing regional pressures. Finally, the discussion will examine how Syria might pursue transparent and inclusive governance while advancing credible transitional justice mechanisms.
Featured image credit: Shutterstock/Mohammad Bash
